A paedophile who sent sexual messages to children has been jailed after he was arrested at Gatwick Airport. 

Sean Francis McGranaghan, 33, of Kilmartin Avenue in Norbury, was found guilty of two counts of attempting sexual communication with a child and two counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. 

He first came to the attention of South West Regional Organised Crime Unit in January 2023 when he made contact online with what he thought was a child but was actually an undercover police officer. 

A few months later he also came to the Met Police’s attention after he sent more messages to what he thought was a real child. 

In May 2023 he was arrested at Gatwick Airport and was charged with the four offences. 

McGranaghan, who previously lived in Dromahair, Ireland, never admitted the offences but was convicted by a jury. 

On Thursday (August 22) he was jailed for six-and-a-half years at Bristol Crown Court. 

DI David Wells from SWROCU Online Investigations Team said: “McGranaghan is a dangerous individual who has never admitted any liability for his heinous crimes. 

“The judge handed him a significant custodial sentence in response to this and I am pleased he will no longer pose a risk to children whilst incarcerated.”