Man sentenced after being snared by paedophile hunters

Teesside Crown Court.

A Richmond man has appeared in court after being snared by paedophile hunters.

Alan White, 56, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday for sentence.

The court heard White had contact over the internet with someone he thought was a child.

However, it was actually an adult member of a so-called paedophile hunter group posing as a child.

A number of indecent images of children were also found on his phone.

The defendant was initially arrested on March 9 after he was confronted by members of the paedophile hunter group.

The group, called Keeping Kids Safe, knocked on the man’s door and had a conversation with him through an open window.

Police then arrived and arrested the man.

White, of Reeth Road, Richmond, was given a 12 month sentence, suspended for two years for a number of sex offences, including sexual communication with a child and possessing indecent images of a child.

He was also told he must register as a sex offender for ten years.

A sexual harm prevention order was imposed for ten years.

He was also ordered to pay £140 victim surcharge.

North Yorkshire Police said at the time that all required safeguarding measures had been put in place.

A spokesman added: “North Yorkshire Police will act appropriately on any information which is brought to our attention.

“However, 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.

“Such groups are taking risks that 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 investigation, it is important to stress that the case is now active under the Contempt of Court Act following the arrest.

“We therefore strongly urge people – especially those online – not to act in a way which could compromise the investigation and the course of justice.”

1 Comment

  1. I for 1 think the police should work hand in hand with these teams majority of these teams do a fantastic job of getting these vile creatures convicted it’s not the fault of policemen offices they do not have the time or funding tho these teams have no funding and still get them monsters surly there is some middle ground were pedophile hunters and police can work together after all the kids are the ones we shoulder all be protecting

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