A MAN who encouraged a schoolgirl to pose for pornographic pictures and carry out sex acts for him has been warned to prepare for prison.

Geoffrey Cooper, of Gifford Street, Middlesbrough, admitted a series of serious offences when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.

He will be sentenced next week once detailed records of his phone calls, text messages and social media contact are available.

Judge Michael Taylor told the 45-year-old: "In the current climate, this sort of behaviour warrants one sentence and one sentence only.

"You have pleaded guilty to what, in my view, are serious offences, which warrant immediate custody."

Graham Brown, defending, said Cooper was of good character and has shown genuine remorse and regret since his arrest in May.

He said none of the crimes involved physical contact, and told the judge there are "significant and substantial" arguments for not jailing the pervert.

Cooper admitted five charges of either inciting of causing child pornography or a child to engage in sexual activity.

He also pleaded guilty to possessing four indecent images of a 13-year-old child when police searched his home on May 9.

Judge Taylor granted him bail until his next appearance next Friday, but warned him: "In my view, custody is inevitable."