A man from Neasden convicted of a string of sexual offences on four schoolgirls he befriended through chat rooms and social media will be sentenced in April.

Taiwo Ayotenve Benson, of Chartley Avenue pleaded guilty to four counts of engaging in sexual activity with a girl aged 13 to 14 and to grooming her, at Harrow Crown Court on Friday (March 11).

The 43-year-old met with his first victim a number of times over a period of 18 months and the offences began when she was aged 13.

He also pleaded guilty to:

- Attempting to facilitate the commission of a child sex offence against a second girl, under the age of 16, following grooming and efforts to meet with her.

- Harassing a third girl under the age of 16.

- Causing both victims two and three to watch a sexual act.

- Malicious communications against another, fourth female victim, aged 16

Benson admitted to breaching a sexual harm prevention order and to several offences of taking and possessing indecent images and videos of children.

The offences were committed between September 1, 2014 and November 25, 2015, when Benson was arrested, the Metropolitan Police said.

He made contact with the victims through chat rooms or social media before bombarding them with messages and offers of gifts, such as new phones, in return for sexual favours.

Analysis of his mobile phone showed a series of sexually explicit messages to the four girls sent using Whatsapp and Blackberry Messenger.

This resulted in him being charged with offences against all four.

Detective Constable Rebecca Woodsford of the Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command said: “I am pleased that Benson has been brought to justice.

“I hope it provides some comfort to his victims, and equally that it serves as a warning to those who believe the potential anonymity of the internet enables them to get away with committing such offences against children.

“The Met takes child sexual exploitation extremely seriously.”

Benson was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on Friday (April 1) to nine years imprisonment.

Police urge victims, families and friends to speak with police if they, or any children they know, are subject to sexual exploitation.

Anyone with information can call the Child Sexual Exploitation team via 101. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.