Sent naked pictures of himself to what he believed was a girl aged 13.

A 63-year-old man has been jailed for two years after being caught by online paedophile hunters for sending naked pictures of himself to what he believed was a 13-year-old girl.

Gordon Hunter was confronted by members of the group and subsequently arrested by the police, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

Recorder Alex Menary told Hunter, a retired supermarket security guard, that he would be failing in his public duty if he did not jail him.

Hunter, of Range Bank, Halifax, pleaded guilty to attempting to communicate with a child for sexual purposes by sending pictures of his exposed penis. He also admitted inciting a child aged 13 to engage in sexual activity, possession of indecent photographs of children, and possession of extreme pornographic images of a person performing a sexual act with an animal.

All the offences took place between April 13 and June 9, 2019. Hunter told interviewing officers he was aware that he was speaking to a young adult woman. He claimed it was just role playing.

Ken Green, in mitigation, stated that Hunter was deeply ashamed. He had worked hard all his life as a supermarket security guard and had caused his wife and family great distress.

Recorder Menary ordered Hunter to sign on the sex offender register for ten years.