A MAN who groomed school girls online using a fake profile to masquerade as a teenager is now behind bars. 

Kevin Whittaker, of Ajax Avenue, Orford, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison at Chester Crown Court on Thursday.

The court heard how the 32-year-old used the social networking site Facebook to target vulnerable girls aged between 13 and 15 years. 

He created a fake Facebook profile and pretended to be a 19-year-old – keeping his true identity a secret from his victims.

One of the victim’s parents discovered the inappropriate messages between Whittaker and the victim and alerted police. 

Officers carried out an extensive investigation into the allegation and were able to identify Whittaker as the suspect in the case.

Two further victims were also identified during the course of the enquiries.

Whittaker was arrested and later convicted of causing a child under 13 to watch a sexual act, causing a female to engage in sexual activity without consent and causing a child under 13 to watch a sexual act.

Chief Inspector Pete Shaw welcomed the sentencing of Whittaker and vowed to continue to target those who prey on the vulnerable and bring them to justice.

He said: “Cheshire Police will continue to investigate reports of abuse and carry out operations to tackle those who seek to take advantage of young and vulnerable children, working together with the local authority and other agencies to keep children safe.

“Whittaker is a predator - he actively approached his victims online and was very direct with his intentions. 

"It is shocking for any parent to find their children have been targeted in such a way and I’m sure the families affected will be relieved to find he has been imprisoned.”