A sex offender from Bexleyheath sent a photo of his penis to a 13-year-old girl who he then tried to meet up with.

Thomas Smith, 27, of Oakhurst Avenue in Bexleyheath, arrived at Bexleyheath Station on November 25 last year believing he was going to meet a young girl.

Unfortunately for him, he was greeted by a team of paedophile hunters who he had been unwittingly messaging for weeks.

Between October 11 and November 25 he had been exchanging messages with the decoy account who claimed to be a 13-year-old girl, Woolwich Crown Court heard.

Smith discussed having sex with her and sent a photo of his penis.

On December 18 at Bexley Magistrates’ Court he pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming and engaging in sexual communication with a child.

On Monday (January 8) Smith appeared at Woolwich Crown Court for sentencing via videolink from HMP Belmarsh.

Michael Polak, who represented Smith in court, asked for sentencing to be adjourned to allow a psychological examination of his client.

He told the court Smith was of low intelligence and low understanding, and that this may have contributed to his offending.

Judge Christopher Grout adjourned the case until February, but warned Smith: “I should make it very clear that my view at the moment is that this offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence will be sufficient.”