A MAN has appeared in court to face two charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Stuart Thompson, 34, of Guard Street, Workington, is accused of intentionally attempting to communicate with two females under 16 years old and discussing sexual acts.

The offences are alleged to have taken place in Workington between September 14 and October 11, and October 19 and October 27, last year.

Thompson, who appeared at Workington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, also faced a charge of producing a Class B drug, which he admitted.

The defendant had produced a quantity of cannabis in Workington, which was discovered on October 28 last year.

He was fined £80 for this offence and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £32 surcharge.

The matters of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child will be heard at Carlisle Crown Court. A plea and trial preparation hearing will be held there on March 9.

Thompson was granted bail, on the condition that he does not have any unsupervised contact with any child under 16.

An order was made for the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis.

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