A man was caught by Border Force officials trying to import a banned child sex doll and get it delivered to Norfolk, a court heard.

Norwich Crown Court heard that the doll was intercepted by customs officers at Stansted airport, who then traced the order to David Jay, 42, who was using a postal address in Thorpe St Andrew, near Norwich.

Peter Gair, prosecuting, said Jay had ordered the child-like sex doll from China and had carried out his own research into how to obtain one of the dolls.

Mr Gair said that it was 'painfully obvious' that the doll was designed to look like a child that was aged about six years old.

He said evidence showed that Jay had made a number of searches on his computer about buying the doll and making checks to find out if it was illegal to import dolls of this kind.

He said: 'It is quite clear that this was an item which was intended to represent a child and a young child at that.'

Jay, formerly of California Cliffs, Hemsby, admitted importing a prohibited, indecent or obscene article on July 17, last year.

The court heard he had a previous conviction in 2000 for possessing and distributing indecent images of children

Jonathan Goodman, for Jay, said that he admitted he had a sexual interest in children and realised it was wrong and needed help.

He had sent off for the doll and planned to use it in private to satisfy his 'unnatural' desire.

Mr Goodman said: 'He would benefit from further help, rather than punishment.'

Judge Katharine Moore said that it was a concerning aspect of his offending that had ordered the illegal doll and said: 'Any sentencing must be in the public interest so you never offend in this way again and all children are protected from you.'

She said the best way to protect the public was for Jay to get help he needed and so she imposed a 15 month sentence suspended for 21 months so he can attend a course for offenders.

She also ordered him to do 100 hours unpaid work.

She warned him: 'It is your last chance.'