A pensioner who engaged in online chats with who he believed to be two 13-year-old girls has been given a suspended sentence.

Stephen Pickup instigated separate discussions with who he believed to be two teenagers, which quickly became sexual and saw exchanges of images take place.

Preston Crown Court heard how police received referrals from two online groups that were engaged in chat with an internet address registered to Pickup.

As a result of enquiries, police attended his home address on October 25, 2021, where he was present with his wife.

Pickup, of Glen Crescent, Bacup, immediately identified he was responsible for the online chats.

A laptop, an iPad, and a mobile phone were all located connected to the internet.

The devices were examined and it was found Pickup had been engaged in a conversation a profile for a 13-year-old called ‘Izzy’, which was set up by an online decoy group.

Pickup, 76, sent live pictures of himself, initially bare-chested, and instructed ‘Izzy’ to delete them once received and seen.

There were also discussions where Mr Pickup said he ‘liked to talk to her when he was naked and on his bed’, and discussions about masturbation where he instructed and guided the teenager on what she could do for pleasure.

Similar chats were held with another profile called ‘Courtney’, who indicated early on she was 13-years-old, but was also a decoy account.

In his first police interview, Mr Pickup indicated that though he was responsible, it was the decoys who had instigated communication.

Prosecuting, Emma Keogh said though this was not a real 13-year-old girl and no actual harm could have been caused, if it was the timing and location would all be aggravating features.

Offering mitigation, Kristian Cavanagh said: “There is no suggestion with either that this defendant travelled to meet them or make any attempt to meet.

“This offending dates back to 2021. He has had it hanging over his head since his arrest, something the court can reflect in the sentencing process.

"These wholly exceptional circumstances would mean the sentence is capable of suspension.”

He added that Pickup had referred himself to a local charity to get counselling for his behaviour, which gave him a better understanding of why he behaved in that way, and he was regretful.

Summarising, Mr Recorder Cox said: “All of these offences arise from behaviour you engaged with online, communicating with individuals named Izzy and Courtney.

“Information was gained from the agencies you had been engaging in contact with. They expressly stated they were 13 and you continued to communicate with them.

“These rapidly became sexual and you posed naked except for a towel on an occasion and exposed yourself to the individual known as Izzy.

"You then tried to incite them to engage in masturbation and the behaviour continued for a short time before it ceased.

“You have made admissions and accepted guilt but you attempted to suggest you were not the person instigating the behaviour, but it doesn’t seem to be the case in reality.”

Mr Cox handed Pickup a custodial term of two years, suspended for two years.

He was also made subject to notification requirements for 10 years, a sexual harm prevention order, and must attend 30 rehabilitation activity days.