A MEMBER of an online paedophile ring exposed by the Metropolitan Police was talking online about finding a young girl to fulfil his sexual fantasies.

Father-of-two David Boddy was traced through the online footprint of a man found to have been organising the sexual abuse of young children, with material disseminated to “like-minded guys” over the internet.

Pleading guilty to seven charges relating to making and possessing indecent images of children, the 32-year-old was sent directly to Swindon Crown Court to be sentenced.

While he said his fantasy was for girls aged between 12 and 17, photographs were found on his tablet and mobile phone of girls as young as five in various sexual positions, one naked and tied up with rope.

In total 134 images were retrieved from Boddy, of Marshgate, along with transcripts of online chat logs in which he talks of being able to obtain a child for sexual gratification.

Pauline Lambert, prosecuting at Swindon Magistrates’ Court, said: “There is a Metropolitan Police operation that is being conducted by child abuse and major investigation teams looking into a small group of individuals.

One was arrested, and through examination of his computer it was found he was prolific in contacting people via the internet with a view of exchanging indecent images and organising hands-on abuse. In short, this is a paedophile ring.

“He posted a large number of adverts on Craigslist, and excerpts of conversations were taken, leading to the identification of David Boddy.

“Mr Boddy replied to adverts which had the titles Taboo, Incest or Canine and he was found to have taken part in online conversations discussing the commission of sexual offences against children. They are discussions about being able to obtain a child for which they could fulfil their fantasies.”

Boddy, who is currently going through divorce proceedings, has an order from social services banning unsupervised contact with his children, the youngest of whom was born just last year.

Ben Worthington, defending, said: “It is important to note that Mr Boddy is only charged with 134 images in total, of which 120 are of the lowest category. There are no charges relating to the commission of children for sexual offences. All we are dealing with is seven charges of indecent images.

“He is on bail conditions not to have sole access to any person under the age of 18, and that includes his own children. He and his wife are in the process of being divorced, and an order is in place allowing him contact with them only when supervised by social services three times a week and at the weekends.”

Boddy was remanded to Crown Court for sentencing at a date to be fixed.