A man who arrived at Sutton Scotney Services with lubricant, sex toys and restraints to attempt the rape of an eight-year-old has been jailed for eight years.

Lance Baynes, formerly of Cedar Close in Walsall, was arrested on August 21 after he travelled 120 miles with the intent of abusing the girl.

He was due to meet with another man to carry out the offence, but this was part of a police sting, and was arrested by officers after arriving.

He was charged by Hampshire Police’s Internet Child Abuse Team at the time, subsequently appearing at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court to plead guilty to the offence.

A subsequent appearance at Winchester Crown Court on November 23 revealed that he was communicating sexually with a 13-year-old girl, as well as administrating an account to exchange explicit images of children with others.

His devices also contained 1,430 indecent or extreme images of children. He pleaded guilty to these charges.

He was sentenced on December 22 on ten charges, including one count of arranging/facilitating the rape of a child under 13-years-old; three counts of making indecent images of children; one count of possession of extreme indecent images; three counts of distributing indecent images of children and intentionally encouraging an offender to commit an indictable offence.

He was given eight years imprisonment, and will be on license for four years following his release.

DC Steve Hill, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “Prior to his arrest Lance Baynes had been planning to commit an atrocious offence against what he believed was an 8-year-old girl. He is a dangerous offender, and I hope his sentencing reassures the public.

“This was a complex and difficult investigation, and I would like to thank our colleagues at SEROCU for their assistance in bringing this case to justice.

“We take all reports of sexual offending very seriously, and will do anything in our power to bring those responsible to justice and to protect vulnerable people from such predators.”

Anyone who has been a victim of child abuse, or has any information about this type of abuse, is encouraged to contact police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Child Line on 0800 11 11, or if you are an adult who has been affected, you can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.