A man has pleaded guilty to child sex charges for a second time after being arrested following an operation by so-called paedophile hunters.
Anthony Lee Nendick, 35, of Manor Grove, Colburn, attended York Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
He pleaded guilty to two charges, attempting to engage in sexual activity with an child and attempting to cause/incite a girl aged 13-15 to engage in sexual activity – no penetration.
Nendick was remanded in custody and will appear at York Crown Court for sentencing on January 29.
He was arrested at 3.45pm on Sunday after information was passed to police by a paedophile hunter group.
A representative from the group the Child Online Safety Team confronted Nendick at his home.
The confrontation, which was screened lived on Facebook, came about after the defendant engaged in a sexual conversation with a girl online who told him he was 13.
However, Nendick was told he had actually been messaging an adult decoy deployed by the paedophile hunters.
The video is online here.
It is the second time Nendick has been prosecuted for child sex offences.
In September 2014, the former soldier propositioned a schoolgirl online, despite repeatedly being told by the girl that his advances were not welcome.
Nendick admitted inciting a child to engage in sexual activity at an earlier hearing and received a fine.
He was given a three-year community order with supervision.
He was also ordered to pay £300 costs and put on a three-month electronic tag curfew from 8pm to 6am.
North Yorkshire Police said it would act appropriately on any information which is brought to its attention.
However a spokesperson added: “Our position on so-called paedophile hunter groups reflects the position of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, in that we understand the desire to protect children but any member of the public who has information about child sexual abuse, online or otherwise, should get in contact with the police so we can investigate and bring people to justice.
“So-called paedophile hunters are taking risks they do not understand and which can undermine police investigations.
Most importantly, unlike our officers, they have no way of safeguarding child victims.
“In this specific case, it is important to remember that the man has a right to a fair trial.
“Legal proceedings are now active under the Contempt of Court Act, and we strongly urge people – especially online – not to act in a way which could compromise the course of justice.”
A spokesperson for the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, a charity dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse, said: “If you are concerned about what you are looking at online, or the online behaviour of someone you know, you can call the confidential and anonymous Stop It Now helpline on 0808 1000 900 for advice, support and help to stop.
“Or visit https://get-help.stopitnow.org.uk/ to find out more.”
