Spain-based abuser groomed Lancashire child online

A paedophile in Spain who police say groomed and exploited a vulnerable 12-year-old child online "for his own sordid sexual interests" has been jailed.

Lancashire Police said Thomas Freret targeted the child for sexualised chats, pictures and videos and tried to cover his tracks by telling his victim to delete messages.

The force said the offences took place in Lancaster in 2020.

Freret, 39, was jailed for six years on Monday at Preston Crown Court after admitting sexual communication with a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and breaching a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Police said Freret lived in the Spanish city of Elche until his arrest on 10 November 2024.

He had previously been issued with a SHPO in 2013 which banned him from using the internet to contact or attempt to contact any child known or believed to be under the age of 16.

At his latest sentencing hearing, Freret was also put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and made the subject of a new 10-year SHPO.

Det Sgt John Barton said: "Freret groomed and exploited a vulnerable child for his own sordid sexual interests.

"Despite residing in Spain, officers worked tirelessly to ensure he faced justice back here in Lancashire and now he is behind bars where he belongs."

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