A PENSIONER who admitted to sending sexual messages to a child online failed to show up for his own sentencing hearing.

Leslie Gaul, 71, was due to be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday (June 6) charged with one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child.

The pensioner messaged a girl under the age of 16 on Facebook between August 26 and September 14 last year, and the messages were reportedly of a sexual nature.

READ MORE: BREAKING: Man GUILTY of attempting to murder 10-year-old boy

Gaul, of Green Road, Didcot, appeared in the lower court in May for his plea hearing where he admitted the offence.

However, he failed to show for his hearing on Thursday and a warrant for his arrest was issued.

The court heard several attempts were made to contact Gaul.

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