Man Spared Prison After Vigilante Group Catches Him Trying to Groom Child Online

A 26-year-old man, Daniel Mark Cheeseman, has been spared prison after being caught by a vigilante group attempting to make sexual advances online to what he believed was a 14-year-old boy.

Cheeseman was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court on Thursday for two offenses committed over a five-week period last year. He had previously admitted to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child by sending an explicit image.

The court heard that Cheeseman was confronted at his workplace in Kendal by members of the vigilante group, who live-streamed the encounter on Facebook and contacted the police. It was revealed that Cheeseman had been in regular contact with what he thought was a 14-year-old boy, but was in fact a decoy used by the group.

After reviewing a background report and references, Judge Peter Davies decided that Cheeseman would not receive the necessary professional help in prison. As a result, a 12-month jail term was suspended for two years.

Cheeseman, formerly of Kendal and now residing near Harrogate, must complete an accredited sex offender treatment course, 100 hours of unpaid work, and rehabilitation. He must also register as a sex offender and abide by the terms of a prevention order, both for a period of 10 years.

"This has got to stop. This is your opportunity to stop," Judge Davies told Cheeseman.