A paedophile with a history of sexual offences spent Christmas behind bars after a little boy recognised his picture on the Essex Chronicle’s website thisistotalessex.co.uk

The three-year-old exclaimed “It’s George” as his parents viewed a court story about convicted sex offender George Power, 72, of Orchard Close, Maldon, Essex, on the internet site.

Mark Lakin, prosecuting, told Chelmsford Crown Court that Power had given the boy a red toy truck during a family outing at Hythe Quay, Maldon.

The couple realised Power should not have attempted to befriend their son and immediately contacted the police.

Mr Lakin said Power was banned from associating with children under 16 years in November 2002 when a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) was imposed by Southend Magistrates following an initiative by Essex Police.

In August, Power was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, by Chelmsford Magistrates after he was spotted giving a boy money to buy an ice cream at Maldon Promenade on 23 June.

Mr Lakin said that on seeing the court case featured on thisistotalessex.co.uk the parents recalled Power giving their son a toy truck at the Quay on 30 June.

Power pleaded guilty to breaching the SOPO but Judge Peter Fenn delayed sentence, remanding him in custody until early in the new year.