A paedophile has been jailed after police stopped his attempt to abuse a young boy in Dartford.

On September 30, 2022, Anthony Finnis travelled to Kent from his home in Norfolk to meet up with a 12-year-old boy.

Kent Police said that he had the intention of abusing the child and had previously “described his sexual desires in great detail during online conversations and had every intention of fulfilling them”.

Finnis, 36, arrived at a coffee shop in Dartford where he originally intended to meet the boy, but was instead approached by Kent Police officers and arrested.

Police said he had even brought with him a Thor fancy dress costume as he believed it was the boy's favourite superhero.

Finnis of Briton Way, Wymondham, appeared in court on Monday, October 3, 2022, where he pleaded guilty to arranging the commission of a child sex offence and the possession and distribution of category A and B child abuse images.

He was jailed for eight years at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday, June 23, with a further four years on licence once he is released.

Investigating officer, DC Michelle James, from Kent Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: “Finnis had arranged this meeting online with the intention of abusing a young child.

“He had even brought with him a Thor fancy dress costume as he believed this was the boy’s favourite Marvel superhero.

“Finnis described his sexual desires in great detail during online conversations and had every intention of fulfilling them.

“His motives were clear, and we stopped him in his tracks.

“Our team will continue to do everything we can to proactively target those people who seek to commit sexual offences against children and ensure they are brought to justice.”