A paedophile from Highgate was arrested just before he was about to commit a sexual act on a child, police have said.

Officers fear there could be more victims of 63-year-old Gerald Ingram, of Priory Gardens, who was arrested on May 22. Ingram pleaded guilty and was sentenced yesterday at Southwark Crown Crown Court to three years and eight months imprisonment.

DCI Noel McHugh, from the Paedophile Unit, said: “The prosecution of Ingram demonstrates the commitment of the Paedophile Unit to target the most dangerous sex offenders and protect the most vulnerable.

“I am in no doubt that police intervention prevented Ingram accessing and sexually assaulting a child on the day of his arrest.

“I believe that he may have committed other offences and I would therefore urge anyone who believes they may have been a victim to have the confidence to report the incident to police. We are here to support and protect you.”

Ingram was sentenced to 12 months for four counts of making indecent images; two years and eight months for attempting to arrange or facilitate a child sex offence to run concurrently, and 12 months for three counts of distribution of indecent images of children to run consecutively.

Anyone with information about Ingram should contact the investigation team on 020 7161 3871.

Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, Childline on 0800 1111, report the matter to your local police station, or inform a teacher or trusted individual. All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.