Pervert Stephen Bateman caught in vigilante sting after arranging to meet girl, 13

That is the second a pervert who turned as much as meet a 13-year-old woman for a 'kiss and cuddle' was arrested after being confronted by paedophile hunters.

Stephen Bateman, 24, believed he was about to see an underage schoolgirl he had met on Fb earlier than discussing intercourse along with her.

However he had been snared by Darkish Justice, who pose as teen ladies on-line to reveal males in search of intercourse with kids.

The nameless group had been ready, with the police in tow, when Bateman, from Newcastle, turned up on the landmark Millennium Bridge within the metropolis. 

Darkish Justice had been ready, with the police in tow, when Bateman, from Newcastle, turned up on the landmark Millennium Bridge within the metropolis

Bateman initially claimed he was within the space simply to see the seaside quayside, a patch of walkway the council converts right into a makeshift seashore annually. 

However he was arrested by officers in February this yr and he later admitted tried grooming at Newcastle Crown Court docket. 

Emma Downing, prosecuting, stated: 'He stated his solely intention was to have a look at the Quayside seashore and denied sexual motivation. He stated they had been solely going to speak.' 

Prosecutors accepted his responsible plea on the idea he supposed to 'kiss and cuddle' with the woman however no additional sexual exercise.

Miss Dowling advised the court docket Bateman had despatched the woman a pal request on Fb and stated it was a 'random add'.

The dialog rapidly turned sexual, regardless of Bateman being advised nearly instantly that she was solely 13.  

Throughout one dialog Bateman was requested what he needed on the meet up and he replied 'kiss and cuddle'.  

Choose Amanda Rippon advised Bateman: 'It's essential to perceive, it is a severe offence. You can't interact in sexual dialog with kids.

Stephen Bateman, 24, (left) started texting who he thought was a 13-year-old woman (proper)

'You're fortunate that this was not a 13-year-old who met you as a result of the offences might have been much more severe.

'Once you met your intention was to kiss and cuddle her and nothing extra but when she had been 13 and a gathering had adopted you will have gone additional than that.'

Choose Rippon sentenced Bateman to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for 2 years, with rehabilitation necessities and ten yr intercourse offender registration.

The decide stated Bateman's lack of earlier convictions, his immaturity, vulnerability and low mental capability meant the jail time period might be suspended.

Tom Moran, defending, stated Bateman was gullible and insecure, not a predatory paedophile, which the decide accepted.  

Mr Moran added: 'This isn't one of many instances the place Darkish Justice catch somebody and that seems to be the tip of the iceberg with regard to web exercise, there isn't any suggestion of that right here.'

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