A MAN ended up in court after being sent a naked picture by a person he was arranging to meet.

Simon William Cooper, 47, appeared at Workington’s magistrates’ where he admitted possessing an indecent image of a child.

The court heard that Cooper, of Church Street, Whitehaven, had been talking to the boy online and was unaware of his age.

Julie Hansel, prosecuting, told District Judge Gerald Chalk that police found the picture of a 16-year-old boy on Cooper’s phone.

She said that he had been talking to the sender online, via a website where members have to register.

They had been exchanging text messages and arranged to meet, although the meeting never took place.

Ian Nancollis, defending, said: “The contact came about on a website where you have to certify that you are 18 or over.

“The image was sent prior to any mention of the sender’s age. Cooper’s belief was that the sender was over 18.”

Mr Nancollis told the court that the boy then revealed his age but Cooper was not aware that it was illegal to retain images of people of the age of 16, since that is the age of sexual consent.

He said: “This is proved by the fact that he volunteered the phone to the police and took no steps to try and delete the image.

“The photograph wasn’t one where you could tell the person was definitely under 18.”

The court heard that Cooper had a previous conviction for sexual assault.

Judge Chalk told Cooper: “I’ve been thinking hard whether I should send you to prison.

“There’s a significant age difference, you’re now 47 and you’re having sexual communication with them, this is highly inappropriate.

“But I am aware that the offence you are here today for is just a picture.”

Judge Chalk gave Cooper a community order and told him he has to attend a sex offender’s treatment programme for 44 days.

He was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order and fined £150, £85 costs and £35 of surcharge.