May 2022

Pervert caught and exposed by paedophile hunting teams

A pervert that sent sexually explicit messages to who he believed was a 13-year-old girl online has avoided prison

Christopher Luke Cole of Hanham appeared at Bristol Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to:

• Adult attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child

The court was told that Cole had contacted the profile of someone he believed was a child. 

He sent explicit sexual messages, and told the girl that she was the perfect replacement for his girlfriend. 

He then arranged to meet the child in Bristol

However, when he turned up to meet the girl, he quickly realised that he was actually being exposed in a paedophile hunter sting operation.

Two teams – Totnes Justice and UK database – confronted Cole to question him about his online activity. 

Cole panicked and attempted to run, but the members of the teams held him in a citizens arrest and waited until the police arrived

Cole was handed a three year community order

A five year sexual harm prevention order was imposed and he was told to register as a sex offender for five years