JAMES OAK

A 37-year-old man from Southampton has been sentenced to five years and seven months in prison after sending highly explicit messages to a minor.

James Oak, residing on Winchester Road, pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced at Southampton Crown Court last Friday (7 November).

The criminal acts occurred in October of this year, during which Oak sent the young victim a series of sexually explicit messages.

These included requests for her to send sexual images, to meet in person, and to perform sexual acts.

At the time of the abuse, the girl was only 12 years old.

Oak was sentenced to five years and seven months for inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activities, and an additional 12 months for sexual communication with a minor.

These sentences are to run concurrently.

Alongside his imprisonment, Oak is subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, a restraining order, and is required to notify the police, as mandated under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

He will also remain on the sex offender register for life.