Newbury man Justin Hawkins encouraged child in Mortimer to engage in sexual activity

A MAN has been ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for an offence involving a child.

Justin Hawkins appeared in the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, March 27.

The 54-year-old, of Andover Road, Newbury, admitted trying to engage in sex acts with the youngster.

He thought he was talking to a real child – but in fact it was a decoy, the court heard.

Hawkins admitted trying to engage in sexual communication with a child in Mortimer on September 29 last year, sending videos of himself engaging in a sex act and encouraging her to do the same.

Magistrates ordered pre-sentence reports.

They stipulated these should be prepared on an ‘all options’ basis, including custody.

They also reserved their right to commit the case to Reading Crown Court to be sentenced by a judge should they deem, after reading the reports, that their own powers of punishment were insufficient.

Hawkins, who was legally represented, was meanwhile released on bail with conditions.

Meanwhile, as an interim measure, he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register.