A 55-year-old man, Mark Gaudion, has been given a suspended prison sentence after being caught attempting to groom underage girls in separate sting operations conducted by two vigilante paedophile hunter groups.

Gaudion pleaded guilty to two charges of attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and one count of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.

Winchester Crown Court heard that Gaudion contacted a fake profile named "Becksy Baby" on the Waplog dating website, created by a vigilante group called Predator Hunters. The profile clearly stated the girl was 14 years old. Gaudion sent 57 messages, including an explicit photograph, and arranged for the girl to stay at his home.

In April, Gaudion was confronted by four members of Predator Hunters at the arranged meeting point, and the police were called to arrest him. A search of his home revealed that Gaudion had engaged in similar online conversations with another fake profile, "Amy," a 13-year-old girl created by a different group called Dark Justice.

Gaudion's defense argued that he was a "vulnerable man" with borderline learning disabilities and a low IQ. He was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of community service. He was also added to the sex offenders' register and subjected to a sexual harm prevention order.

Judge Jane Miller QC recognized Gaudion's difficulties but emphasized the seriousness of his actions. She stated that Gaudion denied having sexual interest in children and claimed his messages were a "wicked sense of humour." She also acknowledged Gaudion's history of being bullied and expressed concern about his vulnerability to exploitation in prison.

The case highlights the increasing use of online vigilante groups targeting suspected child abusers. Simon Bailey, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for child protection, expressed concern about these groups while acknowledging the challenges in dissuading their actions.