A 'predatory' pervert slapped with a court order after he made indecent images of children has been jailed for grooming an underage girl online and asking her for naked pictures.

Michael Riley, 45, thought the girl was just 12 years old when he begged her for images and tried to set up a meeting so they could have sex.

Riley was using the fake name 'Gary Holmes' on apps like Skype, Kik and WhatsApp in order to talk to young girls, police said, after they found him using an unauthorised laptop in breach of a sexual offences protection order in January last year.

PC David Simms, of Richmond police's public protection unit, said: "Riley has proved himself to be a predatory sex offender, who will breach conditions placed on him in order to commit sexual offences against children."

The girl Riley had talked to was in fact 15 at the time, and confirmed to police that the Hampton man had tried to groom her. His seized laptop also contained 55 indecent images of children.

Riley has now been jailed for six years, with a three-year extended licence, after he was found guilty of breaching his court order, possessing indecent images and trying to meet the girl.

He will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

But police believe it is possible he had tried arrange sexual encounters with other children and have asked witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information should call police on 020 8247 7047. Click here for information about keeping children safe online.

Riley had first been convicted in 2009 of possessing and making indecent images of children. In 2014 he was convicted of trying to meet a child for sex. He was jailed at Kingston Crown Court yesterday.

An NSPCC spokesperson said: “Keeping Riley behind bars will protect children from his clutches in the short term, but will a spell in prison be enough?

“Riley is clearly someone who needs more than just locking up. In prison he must be placed on an effective treatment programme to ensure he doesn’t pose a risk to children when he is released.

“But in all of this we must not forget the victims of sexual abuse who need significant support to rebuild their lives. Support is always available through the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 and young people can contact ChildLine 24 hours a day on 0800 1111.”