Hapless paedophile snared by separate vigilante groups

A PERSISTENT pervert was snared by paedophile hunters for a second time while on bail for trying to meet a child for sex.

Daniel Smith thought he was talking to a 13-year-old called Zoe when he sent illicit pictures, asked for “naughty photographs” and turned up to meet her in Newcastle.

But in fact he had been duped by Dark Justice, who were lying in wait at Times Square when the 21-year-old turned up.

After being arrested, Smith was bailed as his case went through the system but he contacted another profile, this time set up by online vigilantes Guardians of the North.

Now Smith, of Victoria Road East, Hebburn, has been given a three-year community order at Newcastle Crown Court.

Smith, who had been repeatedly told of ‘Zoe’s’ tender age during the chats, was arrested after the Dark Justice sting.

While on bail, Smith then started another series of risque online conversations with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl called ‘Louise’ – but he had once again been duped.

Smith, who has a low IQ, dyspraxia and mental health problems, pleaded guilty to two offences of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and one of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

As well as the community order, Smith must also sign the sex offenders’ register for five years and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order for seven years and he must complete a sexual offender treatment programme.