Pervert targeted daughter, 12, of woman he met on Tinder dating app

GIRL TOLD HER MOTHER ABOUT APPROACH, SHE CALLED POLICE

A PERVERT who met a woman on the Tinder dating site ended up pursuing her 12-year-old daughter for sex.

Joseph Carter matched with the girl’s mother on the dating app and the two adults had a brief acquaintance before things fizzled out.

Months later, in May last year, Carter, 34, messaged the woman asking if she wanted to meet up and she invited him to her home in North West Leicestershire.

While he was there, the 12-yearold came downstairs and met him.

Andrew Vout, prosecuting, said after he had gone the girl was watching television with her mother when she received a friend request on her Snapchat account, which she accepted.

But when she realised who it was, she immediately told her mother, who took control of the phone and pretended to be her daughter.

Mr Vout said: “A number of messages were exchanged which then became inappropriate and sexual.

“The mother photographed the messages on her own phone before they expired.

Carter’s texts over several hours included: “I won’t lie, when I saw you I thought ‘she is so hot’. You’re gorgeous and your body is incredible.”

The mother replied, in the guise of her daughter, falsely claiming mum was “drunk and asleep”.

Carter then offered to return to the house and meet up with the 12-yearold downstairs.

He asked if she was a virgin and when the reply confirmed that she was, Carter messaged: “I will be gentle with you, babe, do you think you will be able to handle it?

“Obviously I’m going to be quiet. I don’t want anyone to catch us, especially when we’re being naughty xxx.”

He then asked if she was “good at keeping a secret”.

He then explicitly detailed sexual acts, before saying he would send her a picture so she could see what she “would be getting” – which was followed by an indecent image.

The horrified mother contacted the police, concerned the defendant might return.

Mr Vout said Carter then messaged something about the presence of the police at the house – but later denied he was in the vicinity at the time, claiming he just went home and never intended visiting the child.

The defendant, of Arnold Road, Stoke Golding, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to incite a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

In the dock, Carter bowed his head throughout most of the hearing.

Matthew Hardyman, mitigating, said the defendant was the father of young son from a former relationship, had no previous convictions and worked full-time for a Christmas tree business in Market Bosworth.

The barrister said: “He’s extraordinarily contrite and can’t explain his behaviour.

“He had no intention of going back round to the house. He recognises he needs help.”

Sentencing Carter to jail for two years, Judge Philip Head said: “It’s quite impossible to suspend the sentence.

“Those who behave as you behaved must understand there’s a price to pay.”

He was placed on a sexual harm prevention order and will have to enlist on a sex offender register, both for 10 years.