A Reading man has been found guilty after targeting young girls on social media for sexual exploitation using false identities and accounts.

Alvin Agard, 23, of Valentia Road appeared at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, December 7 following a lengthy investigation by Thames Valley Police.

After using false identities on social media to ask several teenage girls for indecent images of themselves he was found to have repeatedly engaged in sexual communication with them.

These incidents occurred between September 2018 and March 2019.

The jury found Agard guilty of two counts of inciting the sexual exploitation of a child and one count each of causing the sexual exploitation of a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming and distributing an indecent image of a child.

The man met one of his victims in Prospect Park, Reading in October 2018.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Peter Principi said: “This has been a lengthy and challenging investigation.

“Alvin Agard targeted a number of young girls, assisted by social media to hide behind false profiles hoping to escape apprehension.

“I am incredibly grateful to all the young victims in this case who have shown great bravery in coming forward and outstanding patience in this case.”

The jury found him not guilty of sexual assault of a female over 16 and inciting the sexual exploitation of a child.

The judge released Agard on conditional bail ahead of his sentencing hearing at the same court on 16 February next year.

Detective Sergeant Peter Principi added: “Thames Valley Police will always take these reports seriously and pursue sexual offenders relentlessly, especially when it involves children, regardless of how much time has passed.

“I would encourage anyone who has suffered any form of sexual abuse to come forward and report it, either by calling 101, via our website or by visiting a police station.”