Paedophile thought he was sending pornographic images to 15-year-old girl.

Sex Offender Avoids Jail Term After Chatting with Decoy Underage Girl

Scott Bradshaw, 52, of Buckingham Close, Wellingborough, has avoided a jail term after being caught attempting to engage in sexual communication with a person he believed to be a 15-year-old girl over a two-month period.

Bradshaw was exposed by a group of online paedophile hunters in February. The group intercepted messages and voice notes between Bradshaw and the individual he thought was a 15-year-old girl.

He was charged with attempting to cause a child to watch images of sexual activity for his own sexual gratification and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child. Bradshaw pleaded guilty to both offenses at Northampton Crown Court on May 28.

During the hearing, the court heard that Bradshaw had issues with drug dependency. He was sentenced to a 21-month suspended prison sentence by Her Honour Judge Rebecca Crane. This means that if he reoffends within two years, he will have to serve the full sentence behind bars.

In addition to the suspended sentence, Bradshaw was ordered to undergo nine months of mandatory drug testing, six months of mental health treatment, and 45 rehabilitation requirement days. The court also imposed a ten-year sexual harm prevention order, requiring Bradshaw to sign on the sex offenders' register regularly at his local police station.

The order also stipulates that Bradshaw cannot use any online device without notifying his supervising officer of his PINs. He is prohibited from deleting his internet history or using any software that hides searches, and he is not allowed to associate with children under the age of 18.