James Lacy 33

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A convicted sex offender has been jailed again after he sent explicit messages to a 14-year-old girl.

James Lacy (pictured) was jailed for 32 months in 2016 after striking up a sexual relationship with an underage girl, who he groomed online.

Nottingham Crown Court heard he was aged 21 at the time of the offence and that his sentence included a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibited him from having contact with a female child under the age of 16.

The order also required him to register devices used for internet access with the police.

Lacy, now 33, was arrested in February this year after it emerged he had sent sexually explicit messages to a 14-year-old girl via social media.

The victim informed her father and a report was made to Nottinghamshire Police.

Detectives arrested Lacy before searching his address and seizing a number of devices that he had failed to disclose as per his Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He answered no comment to most of the questions put to him across two police interviews.

With the weight of the evidence against him, Lacy, of Bransdale Road, Clifton, Nottingham, was charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and two breaches of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

He pleaded guilty to the offences and was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday (2 October). The judge handed Lacy an extended sentence of eight years, comprising a custodial term of three years and then five years on licence, during which time he will remain under close supervision.

Lacy was further handed a new 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order lasting to October 2035 and made subject of a restraining order that prohibits him from contacting his victim.

Detective Constable Will Huggins, of Nottinghamshire Police’s Public Protection unit, said:

“Lacy has a despicable attitude towards the legal system and so remains a serious risk to children.

“Despite serving a prison sentence and being subject to court orders, he has continued to flout the law and behave in this depraved manner towards a vulnerable 14-year-old girl.

“His victim demonstrated extraordinary bravery in alerting her father about the messages and it is because of her strength and willingness to come forward that we were able to put Lacy back before the courts.

“He knew full well that he wasn’t allowed to message young people in this way but once again his warped sexual desires have landed him in trouble.

“I hope this latest sentence will finally result in him changing his ways and leading a positive and law-abiding lifestyle.”