Married vicar admits sending nude photos to what he thought was a '13-year-old girl' on Snapchat

Reverend Ben Lovell, 44, the vicar of St Mary's church who became known for baptising his congregation in the River Thames, pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates' Court to sexual communication with a child and causing a child under 13 to view sexual images. He was snared by an undercover investigator posing as a schoolgirl during a police probe into child sexual abuse and exploitation. The case has been sent to Crown Court for sentencing, where he faces between 18 months and two years in prison.

Lovell, a married father of two daughters, sent the nude images via Snapchat, which is popular with young people.

The Diocese of London's safeguarding team has issued a statement in response to Lovell's guilty plea.