A sex offender from Bexleyheath has been jailed after trying to break into a teenage woman's home to have sex after she accidentally added him on Snapchat.

Daniel Harman, 32, of Halcot Avenue, was put behind bars for one year and 10 months when he appeared at Guildford Crown Court.

The victim, from Sunbury-on-Thames in Surrey, came into contact with Harman in February after she unintentionally befriended him on the social media site.

He then started to send messages to the victim saying he wanted to meet her for sex, according to police.

On April 2, Harman attempted to break into the victim's home by climbing through a window in her bedroom.

After the frightened woman ran to her parents, her dad confronted Harman about trespassing and Harman then assaulted him.

Inspector Maxine Cilla, of Surrey Police, said: “Thankfully, in this instance Harman was unsuccessful in attempting to commit any sexual offences, however this may have not been the case if the victim was asleep and unaware.

“I hope this case reminds people that although the internet is an amazing tool, however unfortunately it can be used for criminal purposes."

She continued to warn people about the dangers of giving away personal information on the internet and monitoring children's use of social media.

Harman was also slapped with a five-year restraining order and has been made to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.