Father-of-five Martin Embling will be on the sex offenders register for the next five years after grooming a 15-year-old girl into sending him indecent photographs of herself.

Embling, 46, of White Horse Road, Marlborough, appeared for sentence at Salisbury Magistrates Court on Thursday having previously entered guilty pleas.

He received a three-year community order, which included a ban on making contact with the girl during that period.

The court was told Embling, who previously lived in Aldbourne for 20 years, had 3,000 mobile phone texts of the girl showing her either in her underclothes or with her breasts exposed. Michelle Hewitt, prosecuting, said 2,500 of the texts were sexually explicit.

Embling admitted five sample charges of sending grossly offensive, indecent or obscene messages. He also admitted possessing a photograph of a pseudo photograph of a person under the age of 18.

The court ordered the forfeiture of the photographs, his mobile phone and his computer.

His victim, the court was told, took the photographs of herself believing they were for a 20-year-old boy she fancied and that Embling would be acting as a go between and forwarding them to him.

In fact, the magistrates heard, Embling used the photographs of the teenager for his own gratification until a member of his family discovered them on his phone and called the police.

When police searched his home they found images on his phone, his home computer and further photographs in his car.

Ms Hewitt said Embling, who has one grandchild, groomed the girl into believing he was acting as a go-between.

“She thought he was sending them to her 20-year-old boyfriend who she was deceived into thinking she was in a relationship with,” Ms Hewitt told the court.

When interviewed by police Embling continued the deception that he was acting on behalf of the 20-year-old.

“This was all refuted by him (the 20-year-old) who said he had never had a relationship with this girl,” said Ms Hewitt.

The most aggravating feature of the case, the prosecutor said, was that Embling deceived and groomed the girl over a long period of time.

Gordon Hotson, defending, said Embling had a troubled family background.

Mr Hotson said: “He appreciates he will have to work very hard to rehabilitate himself in society and to make amends to those near him who he has hurt.”