A paedophile who travelled from Norfolk with a superhero costume to attempt to abuse a young boy has been jailed. 

Anthony Finnis, 36, travelled from Wymondham to Kent to meet up with the 12-year-old who he had lured into communicating online. 

Police said he had even brought with him a Thor fancy dress costume as he believed it was the boy's favourite superhero.

Finnis, 36, arrived at a coffee shop in Dartford on September 30 last year where he originally intended to meet the boy, but was instead approached by Kent police officers and arrested.

Police said that he had the intention of abusing the child and had previously “described his sexual desires in great detail during online conversations and had every intention of fulfilling them”.

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Finnis of Briton Way, Wymondham, was jailed for eight years at Maidstone Crown Court on June 23, with a further four years on licence once he is released.

He pleaded guilty to arranging the commission of a child sex offence and the possession and distribution of category A and B child abuse images.

Investigating officer, DC Michelle James, from Kent police’s paedophile online investigation team, said: “Finnis had arranged this meeting online with the intention of abusing a young child.

“He had even brought with him a Thor fancy dress costume as he believed this was the boy’s favourite Marvel superhero.

“Finnis described his sexual desires in great detail during online conversations and had every intention of fulfilling them.

“His motives were clear, and we stopped him in his tracks.

“Our team will continue to do everything we can to proactively target those people who seek to commit sexual offences against children and ensure they are brought to justice.”