A 71-year-old man has been jailed after police officers caught him trying to make plans to sexually abuse a 12-year-old child.

Peter Tyndall, of Old Farm Road, Nether Stowey, has been sentenced to three years and nine months at Taunton Crown Court on Friday 27 January after pleading guilty to one count of arranging the commission of an offence to incite a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

Between 19 July and 10 August last year, Tyndall exchanged a series of messages intending to sexually abuse a 12-year-old boy. Unknown to him, he was in fact communicating with a police officer, Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement released on Tuesday.

Officers working on the case said Tyndall sent ‘sickening and horrific’ messages about his plans with the child, describing very clearly a ‘weekend of sexual abuse’, the statement added.

Tyndall had purchased gifts and sweets ahead of the child’s arrival, but was instead met by police officers who then arrested him, it was reported.

Investigating officers PC Rosie Murrell and DC Fiona Currey said: “The messages Tyndall sent were nothing short of sickening and horrific.

“Tyndall is a dangerous sexual predator who had gone to great lengths in order to try to sexually abuse a child.

“Due to proactive police work and a quick arrest, we were able to ensure no child was put at risk or sexually abused by Tyndall.

“We are pleased he is now being held accountable and punished for his crime.

“We hope the sentencing today sends a message to anyone who is committing these types of unspeakable crimes, that we will do everything possible to track you down and bring you to justice.”

Along with his custodial sentence, Tyndall will be subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.