Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.

A repeat online predator has been sentenced to two years in prison after he was caught by a paedophile hunter group posing as a 13-year-old girl.

Luke Pryor, 26, of Deerlands Avenue, Parson Cross, Sheffield, had previously been convicted in 2020 for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act. However, he re-offended in June of this year when he contacted a decoy profile created by the group "Defending the Innocent."

During a hearing at Sheffield Crown Court on September 6, prosecutor Amy Earnshaw detailed how Pryor initiated a sexually explicit conversation with the decoy, discussing kissing, cuddling, and undressing. He even sent four images of himself, including three in just a towel.

The paedophile hunter group then deployed a second decoy, arranging a meeting with Pryor at his home. When he arrived, the group confronted him and alerted the police.

Pryor pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order by possessing internet-enabled phones and contacting someone he believed to be a child, as well as attempting to sexually communicate with a child.

Defence counsel Rebecca Tanner stated that Pryor had become socially isolated and suffered from poor health. She emphasized that he was remorseful and accepted full responsibility for his actions.

Judge Peter Kelson QC, in handing down the sentence, expressed disappointment that Pryor had violated his previous community order, calling him a "predator who wishes to prey upon children." He revoked the community order and resentenced Pryor for his original offences alongside the new charges.

Pryor was sentenced to two years in custody and placed under a restrictive Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years, alongside being added to the Sex Offender Register.