A MOTHER secretly posed as her own daughter in online social media chat with a 34-year-old male would-be ‘friend’, a court heard.

Barry Glen Shaw thought he was exchanging messages with a 13-year-old, but, unknown to him, it was the girl’s mother to whom he was making lewd comments and sending an intimate image.

Durham Crown Court was told the girl alerted her mother after receiving a friend request from the defendant, who used a profile image of the Newcastle United FC crest.

It emerged one of her friends received numerous similar requests from the defendant, which were all rejected.

Deborah Smithies, prosecuting, said police were informed and went to Shaw’s home, seizing various electronic devices, including a mobile phone, on which the incriminating messages were sent.

He initially made ‘no comment’ replies to police, other than to confirm his profile image was that of the Newcastle United badge.

During a subsequent interview he said his social media account must have been “hacked”.

But at a recent hearing, Shaw of Gainford, Chester-le-Street, admitted attempting to incite a girl of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The court heard he has a previous conviction for exposure, from 2009, also relating to an image he sent of himself to a girl aged under 16, via an online chat room.

Tony Davis, mitigating, said the defendant has “significant learning difficulties” and a low IQ, which greatly reduced the effect of the disparity in ages.

Mr Davis said the defendant needs appropriate guidance for someone of his intellect and ability to address his offending behaviour, unlike the assistance he received after his last offence, which did not prove suitable.

Judge Simon Hickey imposed a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, during which Shaw must undergo 30 rehabilitation activity days.

He was also made subject of notification as a sex offender for ten years and restrictions under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, to run until he is 50.