A SEX offender is set to challenge plans for him to be given a fresh ban on contacting children and using webcams on chatrooms.

James Sakal, 33, was convicted of downloading indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography in January 2013.

His current sexual harm prevention order expires in January, but officials want to issue him with another one due to concerns about his behaviour.

At a hearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday, prosecutor Fiona Philpott said: “Because of their concerns, Essex Police seek to apply for the order to carry on for a longer period.

“There are concerns he has been making inappropriate internet searches of children, was having sexualised chats with a schoolgirl while being reckless about her age - it turned out she was 16 and told officers girls as young as nine have been flirting with him while working as a musician.”

Sakal, of Coggeshall Road, Marks Tey, did not appear in court but a letter from his solicitor was read out saying he planned to contest the new order being made.

Magistrates decided to make an interim order before a full hearing at Colchester Magistrates’ Court on August 10.