A “MONSTER” who manipulated teenage girls into sending him explicit pictures using a fake Facebook profile has been jailed for more than seven years.

Tom Willsher created the social media page under the name Asher Smith using images he had stolen from a teenage boy just weeks after he had been released from jail for inciting underage girls in sexual activity.

He began messaging a girl, quickly sexualised the chat and arranged to meet her saying he owned his own business and could drive a car.

His plan was only foiled when the girl’s mother found the chats and raised the alarm.

In a victim impact statement read at Ipswich Crown Court the girl’s mother said: “He is a monster - nobody should have to go through what we went through.

“Her confidence and self-esteem has been shattered.”

The 26-year-old had also messaged three other girls using the fake profile and encouraged them to swap explicit photos.

When they refused, he threatened to post them on social media and even print them out and put them up at their schools.

Willsher, of Chapel Road, Brightlingsea, even invented a fake brother and sister to vouch for him.

He admitted attempting to meet a girl following grooming, four breaches of a sexual harm prevention order, three counts of inciting underage girls into sexual activity and three counts of possession of indecent images.

Judge Martyn Levett said Willsher had corrupted the girl’s innocence and sentenced him to seven years and eight months in prison with an extended licence period of two years and four months.

“Inciting these young girls into sexual activity is a disgraceful piece of behaviour,” he said.

“You’re a dangerous offender and a dangerous man to young women.”

Judge Levett also said the case should act as a warning for all parents who allow their children to use internet enabled devices and access social media.

Edward Duncan-Smith, mitigating, said Willsher is taking anti-depressants and anti-psychotic medication.

“His childhood was not an easy one,” he said.

“He has been diagnosed with low spectrum autism, ADHD and learning difficulties.

“Off his own bat he has attempted to arrange sessions with the prison psychiatrist to try and better understand his compulsive behaviour. “