A PERVERT offered money to teenage girls in exchange for naked photos.

Liam Noon contacted three young girls on Snapchat and requested they send him photos of themselves in their underwear and naked.

A court hearing which would have taken place at Lewes Crown Court was conducted over Skype yesterday due to the coronavirus crisis and social distancing measures.

The court heard that Noon, of Sussex Road in Haywards Heath, sent messages to girls aged 14 and 15 in December 2017 requesting photos and videos.

Rachel Beckett, prosecuting, said: “Messages were sent asking for fully naked photos and videos and money was offered to the girls for doing so, with up to £200 for a short video of the three particular girls.

“One girl did send a photograph of herself in her bra and knickers on December 10, 2017, and received £25.

“The defendant wanted to meet her but she declined.

“It appears that when the three girls were together, more images were sent.”

Noon continued to contact the girls and offered up to £300 for more pictures and videos.

The 30-year-old was arrested and interviewed on December 28, 2017, and gave a prepared statement in which he said he believed the girls were over 18.

However messages on Snapchat showed that the girls had told him they were 14 and 15 and he had asked one of them: “How old do you think I think you are?”

Ms Beckett acknowledged there had been a substantial delay in charging Noon since the offences took place, as further investigation was needed into Category A images found on his laptop, including indecent photographs of a 14-year-old boy.

Noon was interviewed again on May 5, 2019, and charged on October 5 last year. He pleaded guilty to possession and distribution of indecent images of children.

Defence solicitor Adam James said Noon has been taking a course with the Lindsey Faithfull Foundation, a charity aimed at preventing child sex abuse.

He said: “Whilst the delay is regrettable, progress has been made. He has accepted his responsibility.”

Addressing Noon, Judge Anne Arnold said: “What weighs heavily with me in this case is the age of the children. There’s no doubt in my mind that these are serious offences, with the aggravated feature of you offering money for indecent images.

“But you have taken steps to change your behaviour. It’s my view that in your case there is a reasonable expectation of rehabilitation and a community order will be appropriate.”

Noon was given a three-year community order and a sexual harm prevention order.