A self-confessed paedophile, who left a string of vile notes in public toilets in an attempt to find a child to sexually abuse, has been fined just £45.

Brian Christopher Knight, 48, from Chelsea, left dozens of notes and even a photo of a child in public toilets in Battersea Park between April 2011 and June 2012.

The first note, left by the toilet roll in a cubicle, was found on April 24, 2011.

It read: "If you can get access to children, call me. If you can get me a girl I will have sex with her and pay. Serious offer."

A succession of similarly warped notes followed over the next 12 months, many of which were found by members of the public.

In response police started patrolling the park, which seemed to initially stem the flow of notes, but officers were still at a loss as to who was responsible for them.

Then in May last year, yet more notes began to appear in the toilets, this time of a highly graphic homosexual nature with Knight begging for men to call him.

But a further note left on May 22, 2012, which had a photo of girl aged between 11 to 15 attached, read: "Fellow paedophile wanted to help get me a girl. If you think the same and want the same, call me."

On June 18, 2012, police spotted a "suspicious-looking" man in his 40s leaving the toilets but when they approached him he walked in the opposite direction.

When police checked the toilets they found two more notes, in the same handwriting as the previous ones, one of which read: "I like any kind of sex with men, women and children. Text me and I'll be free."

Knight was prosecuted under Common Law rather than the Sexual Offences Act, because he had conspired to commit sexual offences rather than actually committing them.

This means magistrates were unable to punish him more severely.

Knight, who admitted outraging public decency, appeared at Lavender Hill Magistrates' Court yesterday (Thursday, May 16), and was banned from going to Battersea Park for three years.

He must also complete a 36-month supervision order, the maximum length possible.

He was ordered to pay £85 in court costs, a £45 fine and a £15 victim surcharge but because Knight receives benefits he will have to pay just £5 per week.