A Beckenham paedophile has been jailed for sexual activity with a schoolboy he groomed online.

Theo Black, 26, met the 14-year-old boy on a social networking app in September 2014 and he convinced the teen to meet him at a train station.

The victim told Black that he was only 14 but the paedophile still took him to his home where he “engaged in sexual activity” with the child.

Black’s actions were reported to the police and he was arrested on February 24, 2015.

When police seized his electronic devices, they found numerous pornographic images of children between the ages of eight and 14.

Black pleaded guilty to possession of indecent images but tried to claim he wasn’t guilty of sexual activity with a child.

However he was found guilty after trial and sentenced at Croydon Crown Court yesterday, June 28, to four years and six months' in jail.

Detective Constable Tracey Blair, the investigating officer for the Met's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse (SOECA) Command, said: "It has been shown that Theo Black has an unhealthy, sexual interest in children.

“He has pleaded guilty of being in possession of a number of indecent images and videos of children and engaging in sexual activity.

“In spite of the evidence against him, Black pleaded not guilty to the sexual activity, forcing the young victim in this case to give evidence at trial.

“I would like to acknowledge the bravery of the victim and witnesses in this case for coming forward to give evidence against this predator.

“I hope that the sentence handed down brings a measure of closure for everyone affected by this incident and that it encourages any other young people who have been the victim of a sexual offence to tell someone you trust or inform police.”

Detective Inspector Laura Hillier, of SOECA, said: “The victim in this case has shown strength of character during the investigation and approaching trial supported by DC Tracey Blair of the Child Sexual Exploitation Team.

“I sincerely hope that this sentence brings him a measure of closure that will allow him to place this incident behind him and move on with his life.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of abuse to contact police calling 101 or if you want to talk in confidence please call ChildLine on 0800 11 11.”