Sex tourist jailed for two years

Parnell sent sexually explicit messages via email

A retired world-renowned concert pianist has been jailed for two years for attempted indecency offences against children in Sri Lanka.

Brian Parnell, 66, of Haringey, north London, is one of the first people to be convicted under laws introduced to tackle sex tourism.

They allow cases to be brought against UK citizens when offences are committed in other countries.

Parnell was jailed at Wood Green Crown Court, north London, on Wednesday.

He was found guilty on 30 April of attempting to incite a male under the age of 16 to commit a serious sexual act and to commit an act of gross indecency.

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The charges were brought after Parnell was employed to accompany an opera company on a tour through South Asia in 2002.

Before leaving the UK he posted a graphic advert on an e-message group called "Gay Teens of Sri Lanka", appealing for a young Sri Lankan boy to contact him.

This was detected by Sri Lanka's child protection unit and an undercover officer, posing as a 15-year-old boy, began corresponding with Parnell.

Parnell sent a series of sexually explicit messages and obscene photographs to the address.

Officers confronted him but were unable to take the case further as, in Sri Lanka, he had not committed an offence.

The details were passed to the High Commission in London and Parnell was arrested at his London home in March 2003.

The 66-year-old will also be placed under licence for an extended sentence of three years and the judge made an order for forfeiture of computer equipment.

He will also be placed on the Sex Offender Register.