A 42-year-old Darwen man dialled random telephone numbers and subjected females to sexually explicit calls and text messages.

Blackburn magistrates heard some of the call recipients were deeply distressed by the nature of the calls from Adrian John Briggs who got carried away with his fantasies.

One of the victims was an 11-year-old girl who received a vile text message and when her mother answered a subsequent phone call she was asked if she wanted to engage in sexual activity.

Briggs, of Ivinson Road, Darwen, pleaded guilty to four charges of persistently using a public communication network to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety.

He was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for two years, made subject to community supervision for two years and ordered to pay £85 costs.

Parveen Akhtar, prosecuting, said Briggs had sent numerous text messages and made hundreds of calls between March and September 2010. As well as sexually explicit language there had been silent calls and heavy breathing. She said six victims had been identified The victims were from all over the country and the numbers dialled by Briggs had been totally random.

“He has targeted strangers and subjected them to abuse of an extremely explicit nature,” said Miss Akhtar.

“Victims have been disgusted and distressed by what he has said.”

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Briggs had expressed his client’s embarrassment and remorse for his behaviour.