A MAN has appeared in court for allegedly trying to get a person he thought was a 13-year-old girl to send him explicit pictures.

Scott Williams-Clarke is charged with attempting to incite a girl into sexual activity.

It is alleged the 35-year-old sent pictures of his private parts believing he was talking to a 13-year-old girl called Erica.

But Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard the profile was actually being run by the Internet Interceptors - an online group set up in a bid to catch paedophiles in the act.

Williams-Clarke entered no plea to the charge when he appeared at court yesterday.

Henny Tatum, prosecuting said: “This is a case whereby the Internet Interceptors have created a false profile of a girl by the name of Erica.

“During conversations the girl made it clear her age was 13.

“A selection of messages between the two were exchanged and the defendant requests for her to send images of herself and has also sent pictures of his privates.

“There is also some suggestion of him dreaming of meeting her and some references made to them kissing and hugging.”

Magistrates declined jurisdiction of the case.

Williams-Clarke, of Alton Park Road, Clacton, will next appear in Chelmsford Crown Court in January for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

He was granted conditional bail and must live at his home address, and not have any contact with girls under the age of 16 unless in the course of daily life.