Sheffield sex offender faces jail term after he attempted to meet a 12-year-old girl

Sheffield Crown Court heard how Jake Hurt, 27, of Langsett Crescent, Hillsborough, Sheffield, had been made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order on October 18 but he pleaded guilty to five fresh offences committed during November.

These included attempting to meet a child aged 12 following sexual grooming; attempting to cause or incite a girl to engage in penetrative sexual activity; attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child by encouraging her to talk about sexual intercourse; attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act; and to breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order - which had been imposed on October 18 - by deleting mobile phone messages which he was prohibited from doing.

Defence barrister Chris Aspinall requested a six-week adjournment so the defendant's mental health could be considered before sentencing.

Mr Aspinall added that Hurt, who appeared via video link from Doncaster prison, had been due to attend the neurological department at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital in December.

Recorder Gurdial Singh ordered a pre-sentence report to examine the extent of the potential danger Hurt may pose to the public.

He added that he was alarmed Hurt had committed these offences within a month of being made subject to an SHPO.

Recorder Singh told Hurt: "You must be under no illusions. It's a prison sentence you face."

Hurt's case was adjourned until February 14 to consider a probation report before sentencing.