A NATIONAL charity is calling on social media regulation in light of a Southampton paedophile's "horrific intentions".

Adam Piggott was jailed for 13-months for attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child and attempting to meet a child for sexual activity.

The 31-year-old had used social media to message a 13-year-old-girl called Molly between October 28 and November 7, 2019.

Little did he know, Molly was not a real girl.

An online police unit tasked with catching paedophiles had created a fictional profile.

Commenting on the case a spokesperson from the NSPCC said: "“Piggott used social media as a gateway to target and groom what he thought was a teenage girl for his own horrific intentions.

“This case highlights why it is vital that the social media platforms are regulated to prevent them being exploited by abusers, and to ensure young people can use these sites safely.”

Piggott of Mansfield Park Street appeared before Southampton Crown Court last Friday.

The court heard how he called Molly "cute" before sending more explicit and sexual messages.

Prosecutor, Dawn Hyland told how Piggott asked if "Molly" had been with an older man.

He offered to meet her and they made arrangements for when his girlfriend was at work.

Piggott asked Molly not to tell anybody.

They agreed to meet at McDonald's in Shirley High Street on November 7.

Piggott searched for Molly in vain before being snared by police officers.

During an interview, he admitted he knew she was 13-years-old and he wanted to meet for sex.

He said it had dawned on him she was not real and he could not give a specific reason why he sent messages.

Transcripts of their exchanges totalled 81 pages.

Defence barrister, Jamie Gammon said: "He [Piggott] is a man of good character and has no previous convictions."

And, that he had taken steps to address his offending behaviour – including hypnotherapy.

Gammon argued that Piggott is "clearly a man with mental health problems" and furthermore he had pleaded guilty.