A former soldier's world came crashing down when he started sex chatting to a teenager, only to find out it was an undercover police officer.

Tim Wates, 48, from Dartford, began having conversations with a 14-year-old from Grays in Essex he met on Grindr and began to groom him.

But the teenager called 'Olli' turned out to be an undercover police officer.

Days after his arrest his wife left him, taking their four children abroad - but not before she gave a statement to the prosecution.

Now Wates, of Waltham Close, has had to resign from the Army - and is expected to be sacked from his post with the Ministry of Justice.

But the Lance Corporal - who once served with the TA's London Regiment - has narrowly avoided losing his liberty after admitting four charges of trying to arrange the commission of a child sex offence and possessing illegal images of children.

Prosecutor Brinder Soora told Maidstone Crown Court how police were told that in June last year Wates had been using the gay dating app Grindr and messaging app Kik.

Wates sent 'Olli' an image of a topless man in Army combats in a desert environment and two close-up images of his bottom.

"Olli said he was reluctant to send any images as he had been banned from Grindr because he was only 14-years-old, " the prosecutor said.

The two then began talking on Kik - where Wates' login was 'FunkyMonkey2015' - and he said he would send a fake message to Grindr saying he wasn't interested because of Olli's age.

Ms Soora said Wates then quizzed the teenager about his sexual experiences and asked for photographs - and was sent two images of a 14-year-old boy.

Wates then asked: "Ever kissed someone?" before the two began planning to meet up at Olli's house, where they would have more time and they wouldn't get interrupted.

On August 6, police raided Wates' home and seized a Samsung mobile phone containing seven illegal images of children, including one of a naked child.

He told police: "I am shocked and horrified at the allegations."

Judge Tony Baumgartner was told it had taken nine months before Wates was charged - which he said was "unacceptable".

"They had control of this investigation, all they had to do was download the Samsung mobile. I can't see why this has taken so long," he added.

Benjamin Newton, defending, said the revelations about his secret life were "explosive" in the family and his estranged wife and father-in-law both gave statements to the police.

"Shortly after this his wife and children moved abroad and began divorce proceedings. To his credit he has come clean to everyone in his life.

"But as a result his relationship with his children is now conducted over Skype."

He said Wates had served in the army reserves and has worked for the last 10 years in the Civil Service, the last three with the Ministry of Justice.

"He joined the Territorials in 2003, which involved two tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq and received a service award in 2018.

His commanding officer later wrote: "I am disappointed in him, as he is himself, but the Tim Wates I saw was kind, sensitive, brave, responsible and placed others before himself."

'He has been suspended by the Civil Service and has had to resign from the Army....'

Mr Newton added: "These offences have destroyed his career and reputation. He has been suspended by the Civil Service and has had to resign from the Army.

"He faced a personal maelstrom for decades about coming to terms with his true sexuality.

"He laboured under the misunderstanding for many, many months after his arrest that Olli was a real 14-year-old. It was only when he was charged he discovered the child didn't exist."

Wates was given a two-year jail sentence suspended for two years and was ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work.

He will also have to sign the Sex Offender's Register for 10 years and pay £425 costs.

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