A “BORED and lonely” Carlisle man was drawn into online sexual chat with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl.

Alexander Robert Marsden, 27, engaged in illegal communication during the course of 43 days in April, May and June last year with what he later learned was a police operative whose job it was to seek out suspects.

Marsden made sexually suggestive comments and, prosecutor Tim Evans told Carlisle Crown Court: “He asked when, post-lockdown, they could meet; where they could go.”

When quizzed by police, Marsden made frank admissions. “He stated he was bored and lonely,” said Mr Evans. “He was not looking solely for sexualised chat, but ‘if they went anywhere’ he would reciprocate.

“He admitted to discussing meeting up, but stated he never would have actually done so.

Marsden admitted intentionally attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Jeff Smith, defending, described a man of previously “impeccable character”.

“Perhaps, through boredom, he has found himself drawn into conversation with the ‘girl’,” said Mr Smith.

“I think it is right to say that the ‘girl’ encourages the conversation. I accept it is a police officer. That does not justify Mr Marsden’s inappropriate responses. He certainly realises how inappropriate his response were.”

Having lost his job in Carlisle, Marsden, of Gartmore Road, Drymen, Glasgow, had moved north of the border.

His remorse appeared entirely genuine, said Mr Smith, who added: “He comes to court making no excuses for his behaviour.”

Judge Nicholas Barker told Marsden it had been the police operative’s job to identity “people just such as you, who stalk on the internet to find young, vulnerable children ­— in this case a female ­— so you can engage with them in a sexual way”.

“You knew it was wrong,” said the judge. “You knew you shouldn’t be doing it.”

Believing Marsden needed “intervention to assist” him, Judge Barker imposed a 24-month community order, a rehabilitation requirement and 120 hours unpaid work. Marsden must abide by the strict terms of a sexual harm prevention order, and sign the sex offenders’ register, for five years; and will be reported to the barring authorities.