A paedophile scout leader told young boys he wanted to live in Mexico so he could have sex with 12-year-olds, a court heard.

Daniel Carr, the former district treasurer for Southend West Scouts, was caged for two years at Basildon Crown Court today after he admitted a string of online child sex offences.

The 26-year-old used the messaging app Kik to join group chats in which he tried to persuade youngsters to touch themselves and send him naked photos.

Jessica Franklin, prosecuting, said officers found the sickening messages to boys aged 12, 13 and 15 after they raided his house in December.

She said: “They contained this defendant stating that he didn’t mind the age gap. He stated that he wished he lived in Mexico where the age of consent is 12.

“He stated that he had had intercourse with a 15-year-old on numerous occasions. Despite the best efforts of officers no victims have been identified as part of this investigation.”

Carr admitted five counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity between November and December last year.

More than 200 indecent images of children were found on his phone, including 26 of the most serious category A images, 58 category B images and 137 category C images.

He also admitted distributing indecent images, including four category A images, two category B images and two category C images.

The court heard Carr, who has no previous convictions, admitted the offences in police interview but claimed he had no plans to meet the youngsters.

Christopher Martin, mitigating, said: “He would be the first to admit that he needs significant assistance in respect of this offending. He’s also aware of the impact on the victims of sexual exploitation.”

Carr was kicked out of scouts after his offending came to light.

Judge John Lodge said: “It matters very little that you had no intention of meeting them. These were real people who were really being abused by you in real time.”

Speaking after the hearing, an NSPCC spokesman said: “Carr is a manipulative predator and a danger to children. He must undergo treatment as part of his sentence to lessen the risk he poses to young people on his release.

“He groomed children online for his own sick gratification and helped fuel a vile industry in indecent images that preys on vulnerable young victims.

“The NSPCC is calling on social media companies and internet providers to commit resources and expertise to prevent this material being published and protect children from groomers.”