Mark Alan Sidwell, 21, (27/3/92) of Isleworth, pleaded guilty at Isleworth Crown Court in March to three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a female child and seven counts of possessing indecent images.

He was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on Tuesday, 7 May, to three years and nine months imprisonment. He will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and will be a Registered Sex Offender for an indefinite period.

Sidwell was arrested on 5 May 2012. He committed the offences against three girls from the Hounslow area, all aged between 13 and 15 years, having used BBM and Facebook to groom his victims. Indecent images of underage females were also found on Sidwell's phone.

Detective Constable Alan Wong of the MPS Sapphire Command said: "This man has befriended his victims and targeted them on their age and vulnerability with a view to ultimately quenching his sexual appetite.

"All the victims in this case have shown tremendous strength and courage to engage with the police and assist them in bringing the defendant to justice. I hope that the sentence handed down by the Judge will bring closure to these young victims and enable them to move on with their lives."