A WORKMAN is said to have attempted to meet a child for sex in Chippenham.

Michael Andrews, 49, of Clover Close, Melksham, appeared before Swindon magistrates on Friday charged with attempting to meet a girl under-16 following grooming, attempting to make a girl he believed was 13-years-old watch a video of him masturbating, attempt to make sexual communication with a child and arranging the commission of a sexual offence.

Prosecuting, Nick Barr claimed Andrews had tried to arrange a meeting in woods off Sandy Lane, Chippenham, with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. He was instead met by police.

Appearing before magistrates dressed in his work clothes, Andrews entered no pleas to the charges.

Magistrates bailed him to appear before Swindon Crown Court on September 6. Under his bail conditions he has been banned from using devices able to access the internet and ordered to hand over his passport and abide by a night-time curfew.