A “calculated” predator who circled a car park looking for a teenage boy to sexually abuse has been locked up.

Simon Hancock, 47, drove 20 miles from Dartford to Maidstone to meet a child he had “deliberately targeted” and groomed online over several days.

He initiated a series of explicit messages on apps, including Snapchat, where he repeatedly sent obscene images of himself to his victim.

During the exchange, he said he knew the boy was underage, but said he could teach him sexual practices, including how to “touch, kiss and hold”.

On February 19, Hancock arranged to meet the boy but was intercepted by officers after his white Toyota van was seen repeatedly leaving and re-entering a car park next to Mote Park.

The force followed him and stopped him near Greenside after he panicked and reversed into an unmarked police car.

They then surrounded and detained Hancock, seizing a kitchen knife and recovering two phones from his vehicle.

During an interview, he told officers he had indecent images of children on one of the devices, which he called his “bad” phone.

He was later charged with arranging or facilitating a child sex offence, attempted sexual communication with a child, and making indecent images of a child.

At Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday (October 2), Hancock pleaded guilty and was jailed for three years. He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

A further charge of possessing a knife in a public place was ordered to lie on file.

Detective Constable Ellie Campbell said: “Hancock’s actions were predatory and calculated.

“He deliberately targeted a child online, sent explicit material, and then travelled with the clear intention of committing further serious sexual offences.

“Thankfully, the vigilance and intervention of our officers have prevented Hancock from causing any further potential harm.

“This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers children can face online.

“With most young people regularly using devices and messaging apps, we continue to urge parents and guardians to help children understand how to protect themselves online and feel confident reporting anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.”