A MAN who planned to rape an eight-year-old girl travelled across the country with sex toys.

Lance Baynes was caught with restraints, sex toys, and lubricant at a Hampshire service station.

The 48-year-old had arranged to meet another man at Sutton Scotney Services and then rape an eight-year-old girl.

However, he was arrested during a police sting on August 21 this year.

When police seized Baynes' electronic devices they found 1,430 indecent or extreme images.

Officers also discovered he had been the admin of an online account which had been sharing images of children with other paedophiles.

Baynes formerly of Cedar Close in Walsall had also been communicating sexually with a 13-year-old girl, a Winchester Crown Court heard.

He pleaded guilty to the following ten charges:

• Arranging/facilitating the rape of a child under 13-years-old

• Three counts of making indecent images of children

• One count of possession of extreme indecent images

• Three counts of distributing indecent images of children

• Intentionally encouraging an offender to commit an indictable offence.

He was today, sentenced to eight years in prison and will be on license for four years after his release.

DC Steve Hill, of Hampshire Constabulary's ICAT said: “Prior to his arrest Lance Baynes had been planning to commit an atrocious offence against what he believed was an 8-year-old girl. He is a dangerous offender, and I hope his sentencing reassures the public.

“This was a complex and difficult investigation, and I would like to thank our colleagues at SEROCU for their assistance in bringing this case to justice.

“We take all reports of sexual offending very seriously, and will do anything in our power to bring those responsible to justice and to protect vulnerable people from such predators.”

Anyone who has been a victim of child abuse, or has any information about this type of abuse, is encouraged to contact police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Child Line on 0800 11 11, or if you are an adult who has been affected, you can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000.