A MARRIED chef engaged in sexual conversations with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Daniel Jones, 38, began talking to the “girl” who he met on a chat-room called “Just Teens”.

But the married dad was actually talking to an undercover police officer, posing as a 14-year-old girl under the pseudonym “Geordie Lass”.

Jones sent a number of sexually explicit messages to the undercover officer over a week long period.

Southampton Magistrates’ Court, being held at Southampton Crown Court, heard the messages were sent between March 28 and April 5 last year.

Prosecutor Rob Griffiths said Jones spoke about meeting at a hotel for sex, but did not attempt to make plans to meet the “girl”.

He added that Jones gave a no comment interview when arrested by police.

In mitigation, Richard Martin said Jones had lost his wife and job as a result of the arrest.

He said: “He has lost his wife, his family, his children. He has lost his long standing job as a chef.

“He got another job as a delivery driver but he has now lost that job.”

Mr Martin added that Jones “still did not understand” why he had behaved in this way.

Jones, who pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child, was sentenced to a community order for 24 months, including 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Jones, of Richville Road, Southampton, was also ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work and sign on to the sex offenders register.