A HARLOW man has been sent for trial over charges that he attempted to communicate with an eight-year-old child for sexual purposes.

Thomas Hagger, aged 29, of Meadow Road, Epping was charged with the following.

Between 12/09/2017 and 15/09/2017 at South Ockendon, being a person aged 18 or over, attempted for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, intentionally communicated with a child of 8 years of age, a person under 16 who you did not reasonably believe to be 16 or over, the communication being, intended to encourage her to make a communication that was sexual, namely asked the child to send a picture of her in her underwear

A trial date of October 16th at Chelmsford Crown Court has been sent.

Hagger has been remanded in custody.