PERVERT SNARED FOR 2ND TIME IN JUST 12 MONTHS

Paedophile hunters confronted man, 38, who tried to meet girl, 13

PERVERT Phillip Browne was caught by paedophile hunters – for the second time in a year.

The 38-year-old was jailed for 12 months after he sent photos of his genitals to what he thought was a 13-year-old girl and asked her to run away with him.

But soon after his release he contacted another ‘13-yearold girl’ called Jodie, who was in fact a member of the ‘Defending the Innocent’ group.

He bragged about where he lived and arranged to meet the ‘youngster’ at Hanley bus station.

However, when he arrived he was instead met by two members of the group who called the police.

Now Browne, above, has been jailed for 22 months.

Prosecutor Hugh Mckee told Stokeon-trent Crown Court a paedophile hunter from the ‘Defending the Innocent’ group, set up a decoy account of Jodie and left it dormant on dating site, Meet For You, and Whatsapp.

Browne made contact with Jodie on September 24. Mr Mckee said: “Even though he knew the person he was speaking to was 13 he continued to contact her.

“He suggested Jodie gave him a number for Whatsapp and she provided it. He said he was bored and lonely and was doing his forklift licence. “He said he had previously had a girlfriend called Jodie. He asked if she could come to his flat and asked her to send him a picture of her.

“He sent her a picture of his provisional driving licence. He arranged to meet her on September 25 and gave her a postcode for Hanley bus station.

“The information was passed to another member of the group and he and another went to the bus station. They had his picture and identified him immediately.

“He was very candid and said he was there to meet a 13-year-old girl. He said he had been speaking to four others online.”

Browne, of High Street, Silverdale, pleaded guilty to attempting to engage a child to engage in sexual activity; attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and attempting to breach a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Samina Rashid, mitigating, said Browne has led an isolated life.

She said: “He has difficulty interacting with those his own age. He felt comfortable engaging online.

“He realises there are many issues that need addressing. He has started counselling within the prison environment.”

The five year SHPO will remain in place and Browne will be on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.