Man who tried to meet underage teen at Subway ambushed by paedophile hunters

A man who believed he was grooming a 14-year-old boy online arranged to meet him for sex, only to be confronted by paedophile hunters. Neil Spencer, from Wigston, thought he was communicating with a teenager called "Josh" but the profile was actually created by a group called Stop UK.

Spencer engaged in explicit conversations with the fake profile, discussing sexual acts and even acknowledging that the first time might be painful. He arranged to meet "Josh" at a Subway restaurant in Beeston, Nottinghamshire, where he was intercepted by the paedophile hunters and subsequently arrested.

Sentencing Spencer to two years in prison, Judge Michael Auty KC at Nottingham Crown Court emphasized the seriousness of his actions, stating that protecting children is paramount. He acknowledged Spencer's claim that he didn't have a sexual interest in children but expressed concern over his lack of insight into his behavior.

The judge also imposed a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and placed Spencer on the sex offender register for the same duration. This case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of vigilance in protecting children from exploitation.