A “sexual predator” doctor has been jailed after attempting to arrange the abuse of a seven-year-old girl.

Mark Carrington, from Radlett, admitted arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence and three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child.

The 49-year-old was working as a consultant anaesthetist at London’s Royal Free Hospital at the time of his arrest in Finchley – though no evidence was found of the offences being linked to his role.

He was caught after undercover police engaged with Carrington online before arranging to meet another fictional person to sexually abuse a child together.

Detective sergeant Jim Miller said: “Carrington’s actions showed he is a serious danger to children as he believed he had arranged a meeting in which he would carry out the sexual abuse of a child.

“What is additionally concerning is that Carrington occupied a great position of trust in his medical role, and although he knew what he was doing was utterly wrong, he carried on.”

He pleaded guilty in January, was kept in custody and today (April 1) at St Albans Crown Court was sentenced to 28 months’ prison.

He was also given six months to run concurrently for the indecent photograph charges, issued a sexual harm prevention order, and must sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

Detective chief inspector Andy Buckthorpe welcomed the sentence, adding “we hope that the public feel safer in the knowledge that this sexual predator, who was a significant risk to children, is now behind bars”.

He said the Child Exploitation Online Protection Unit (NWROCU), which carried out the operation, as well as UK forces and agencies are determined to “protect children from depraved and dangerous offenders such as Carrington”.

“Law enforcement operates across the internet and we will use every tactic and technological advancement available to ensure people cannot and do not get away with the terrible crimes they have committed,” he continued.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of child abuse, or thinks a child is being abused, to contact police immediately on 101, where a report can be made in confidence.”