June 2019

Cumbrian man sentenced after paedophile hunting sting

A Cumbrian man that admitted serious online child sex offences after he was exposed by a voluntary paedophile hunter group has avoided a prison sentence

Justin Bell, 49, of Bannisdale Way, Morton, Carlisle, was arrested on Saturday 6th April 2019 after speaking sexual to children online.

At Carlisle’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court, Bell pleaded guilty to:

• Two counts of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity

• Two counts of attempting to communicate sexually with a child.

The court was told that Bell had contacted the online profiles of who he believed belonged to four schoolgirls.

The pervert immediately sent sexual messages with the clear intent of engaging the girls into sexual activity. 

The depraved sex predator went on to send masturbation videos and images of his penis. 

However, the girls did not exist and were instead adult members of a paedophile hunting team

The court heard that Bell was “outed” by an organisation called ‘Confronted & Caught’ who acted on behalf of another team called ‘Secret Whispers’, which is dedicated to finding and exposing online perverts.

The judge handed Bell a 186 day prison sentence which was suspended for two years

He was told that he must complete a sexual offences treatment and rehabilitation course and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for five years.

Bell was also told that he must register with the police as a sex offender for the next five years