Man caught arranging to meet ‘teen’ for sex

PAEDOPHILE hunters caught a man attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl for a sexual encounter.

John Dickinson believed he had been talking to a young girl called Amy on social media, but the fake account had been set up by undercover organisation Dark Justice.

The 59-year-old was confronted by the group after organising to meet her in his village.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Dickinson, of Ridings Court in Crawcrook, Gateshead, contacted an online profile set up by Dark Justice on a dating website.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, told the court: “Amy’s profile showed she was 19 years old. Two days later on June 19 the profile was contacted by the defendant.

Amy told Dickinson “I’m in school”, before “confessing” she was 14 years old.

Dickinson gave her his mobile number and messaged her saying: “I’m looking for fun or sex,” to which she replied: “Wow, my age not put you off?”.

Dickinson said: “It has to be between us ... if you tell anyone I’m in big trouble.”

Recorder Ben Nolan sentenced Dickinson to 12 months in prison suspended for two years with a rehabilitation activity requirement.

He also ordered him to sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.