A 66-YEAR-OLD paedophile escaped an immediate prison sentence after he admitted trying to make sexual contact with a girl under the age of 16.

Haydn Hill was jailed for six months, suspended for two years, at Newport Crown Court and ordered to register as a sex offender for seven years.

He pleaded guilty to four counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a girl at an earlier hearing.

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The offences were committed between September 2018 and January 2019.

It was heard in mitigation that Hill, of Broad Street, Pontlottyn, Caerphilly, was a man of previous good character with no convictions recorded against him.

Judge Richard Williams told the defendant he must complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement and attend the Horizon sex offender programme.

Hill was also made the subject of a seven-year sexual harm prevention order.

He must also pay a victim surcharge.