Jason Payne 37

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Jason Payne, 37, of Station Road, Calne, has been jailed for 19 months after sending sexually explicit Snapchat messages to a girl in an attempt to obtain intimate photos of her.

Payne pleaded guilty at Swindon Crown Court on 8 July to sexual communication with a child and witness intimidation. He was sentenced at the same court on Thursday.

He was arrested after being reported to police on 15 April for sending sexually explicit messages to a child known to him. After being released on bail, he ignored his conditions and repeatedly contacted the girl’s family, telling them he would harm himself unless they dropped their support for the investigation. He also threatened to kill himself on the day the victim was due to give evidence.

Christopher Wright, of Wiltshire Police’s Volume Crime Team, said Payne not only “repeatedly preyed on the victim” but also tried to pressure her and her family into retracting their evidence.

“Payne is a predator who repeatedly preyed on the victim, first by sending sexually explicit communications to her, and then by breaking his bail conditions on numerous occasions to attempt to pressure her and her family into retracting their evidence,” he said.

“We take these offences incredibly seriously, and we will ensure that offenders like Payne are held to account for their actions.”

Wright commended the family for their “courage in continuing to support the investigation.”

Payne was also given a restraining order, ordered to register with police as a sex offender, and told to pay a £187 victim surcharge.