55-year-old man arrested in Stoke-on-Trent after alleged online communications with children

The man, identified as Martin Bryan, was confronted at his home address on Newton Street in the Basford area of Stoke-on-Trent shortly after midnight this morning.

According to the information provided, Bryan had allegedly been communicating with a number of young children online over the past few weeks.

It is claimed that he was still communicating with one 13-year-old child less than 10 minutes before he was confronted at his home.

Bryan is said to have made a full admission during the confrontation and acknowledged that he had made what were described as "horrendous mistakes".

Staffordshire Police subsequently attended the address and formally arrested him shortly before 1am.

He remains in police custody at the time of writing.

No charges have been confirmed at this stage and the allegations have not been tested in court. Anyone arrested is innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Further details are expected to become available as the police investigation continues.