A PERVERT lied about his age and asked an underage girl for intimate images and videos of herself for his own gratification, a court heard.

Paul Greene, aged 23, claimed he was a 15-year-old teenager from Dorchester in order to flirt and exchange sexual images with a girl aged between 14 and 15 years old.

Greene received a visit from police on April 27, 2020 and was initially arrested on suspicion of possession of indecent images of children.

Prosecuting, Richard Oakley, told Weymouth Magistrates’ Court how nearly 100 illegal images were found on his mobile phone following an examination – with half of them in the most serious category.

He said: “Devices under his control were seized and sent for forensic analysis.

“Of the devices seized, 51 Category A images were found along with 13 Category B images and 34 Category C images. Of the Category A images, some 41 were moving images.”

The victims featured in the indecent images were female children aged between six and 14.

Further examination of the mobile phone discovered Greene had engaged in sexual communications with an underage girl. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been identified by police officers and is receiving specialist support.

Mr Oakley explained: “During examination of the mobile phone, they were aware of sexualised chat with children including one child where they were performing solo sex acts.

“Police have identified one of these children who has been named and who at the time of these messages started was around 14-15 years old.

“She said she was in contact with him and he told him he was 15 and from Dorchester. She said he requested images and videos of her.”

Mr Oakley added that Greene also sent unsolicited sexual videos of himself.

In a victim personal statement, the girl said the conversations caused ‘a lot of upset’ and ‘harm’ in her family when it was revealed.

She described Greene as ‘quite controlling’ and that he demanded to know where she was going or asked why she wasn’t texting him as often.

Greene, of Eddison Avenue, Dorchester, pleaded guilty to possession of Category A, B and C images between May 31, 2018 and April 27, 2020 as well as engaging in sexual communication with a child between April 3, 2017 and January 8, 2019.

Mitigating, Simon Lacey, believed that magistrates’ sentencing powers were insufficient for the ‘serious’ offences and it should be dealt at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Chairman of Magistrates, Robert Ford, agreed and said: “In view of the Category A images, moving images, engaging in sexual communications of a high degree and of the victim’s age, we feel our powers are not sufficient and commit him for sentencing in the crown court.”

Greene will appear at Bournemouth Crown Court for sentencing on Friday, September 24.

He was released on unconditional bail, but was requested to register at Weymouth Police Station within three days.