A paedophile has been jailed after trying to groom a child while waiting to be deported back to the UK.

Keith Banks, 62, had been jailed for child sex offences in Australia and placed in a detention centre.

While holed up inside the centre, a month before Australian authorities sent him back, Banks began arranging the abuse of a 10-year-old girl via email.

Banks, from Bow, east London, arrived in the UK on October 16, and was put on the Sex Offenders’ Register and issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

He carried on trying to meet up with the girl and travelled to Rayleigh, Essex, thinking he was going to see her.

But Banks was instead met and arrested by officers from the Essex Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT).

He was charged with trying to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence and breaching a SHPO.

Banks admitted the charges in December, and appeared in court via video link on July 15, where he was jailed for six years. He will spend a further eight years on extended licence.

Judge Andrew Hurst told Banks: ‘On September 26, whilst awaiting deportation in Australia, you had access to the internet.

‘You were contacting two people claiming to be the parents of a ten-year-old girl, and quickly you were able to establish you had sexual interests in children.

‘This happened before you even left Australia. You arrived in England in October. It seems to me that you intended to pursue sexual offending against children.

‘You regarded the UK as your new hunting ground before you even left Australia.’

The judge added: ‘I have no doubt that you would have gone through with sex with her and two other adults. You brought a soft toy with you for the ten-year-old girl.

‘You were willing and intended to take her virginity. I have no hesitation in finding you dangerous.

‘You were not remotely looking for a fresh start and keeping your desires at bay.’

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