A Macclesfield man who tried to meet a teenage girl for sex has avoided jail.

Antony Hardern, 54, has been sentenced after admitting to one charge of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Between August 10 and 16, 2023, Harden texted a girl who was under the age of 16 to discuss meeting at a hotel in Macclesfield to have sex.

He also sent the victim messages calling her beautiful and asking about her sexual history.

Hardern, of Arlington Drive, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday, March 17, to be sentenced.

Judge Steven Everett handed him a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

As part of this Hardern must complete up to 30 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work.

He will also need to forfeit his mobile phone and computer, which will be destroyed.

Chester Crown Court (Credit: Nub News)

A seven-year sexual harm prevention was also made, lasting until March 16, 2032.

Under this order, Harden is prevented from living in or entering any household where a child under 16 is present, unless it has been approved by social services.

He is also banned from having any communication with children under the age of 16, unless it is not reasonably avoidable in the course of everyday life or he has consent from the child's parent or guardian and approval of social services.

Additionally, unless certain conditions are met, Harden cannot use a mobile phone, any device capable of accessing the internet, cloud or similar remote storage, any device capable of storing digital images or any home broadband routers.

Similarly, he is prohibited from installing any encryption or wiping software and any additional operating systems.

On top of this, Harden will need to pay a £154 surcharge.