A 42-YEAR-OLD Bury man appeared in court on Wednesday charged with sexual offences against two teenage girls including grooming a 14-year-old over the internet.

John Mansfield, an engineer of Clifton Street, is believed to be the first person to be charged with internet grooming under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Mansfield was charged at Sudbury Magistrates Court in Suffolk with three counts of communicating with the 14-year-old girl from Newmarket in Suffolk over the internet between April and June this year. He also faces three charges of committing a sexual offence against the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Mansfield was also charged with 16 counts of making indecent photos of children between November 2003 and June 2004 and faces one charge of possessing indecent photos of children.

Mansfield was released on bail on the condition that he report to his local police station in Bury each morning until his next court appearance at Ipswich Crown Court on September 2.

Outside the court, DC Mark Scott of Sussex Police said the new legislation was introduced specifically to counter the kind of offences Mansfield is alleged to have committed.

"It will become more and more common for people to be prosecuted for such offences.

"Parents need to be aware of the potential dangers of the internet," he said.