A man is facing deportation after being snared by paedophile hunters while attempting to meet a 13-year-old girl for sex. Apu Raihan, who is originally from Bangladesh, believed he was talking explicitly to the teen online.
However, the 29-year-old had been duped by a decoy from Guardians of the North, an undercover group who aim to expose adults looking for illegal contact with children.
David Crook, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court how Raihan organised to meet the girl after talking to her for just over a day. However, when he arrived to meet the youngster at Newcastle's Millennium Bridge he was confronted by members of Guardians of the North and the police.
Mr Crook told the court: 'She repeatedly reminded him she was 13. There was discussion about sex and plans to meet. He was interviewed and he made no comment but pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.'
Raihan, of Condercum Road, Newcastle, admitted attempting to meet a child after grooming.
Nick Cartmel, defending, said: 'He is not a practised paedophile. He will say this is the first foray he has ever had and it is one that takes place in entrapment. He's pleaded guilty and he's truly sorry. The Home Office will take action and he will no longer be a resident. He will be held in a detention centre.'
The court heard how Raihan has no previous convictions.
The judge, Recorder Benjamin Nolan QC, told Raihan: 'Apu Raihan you pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. This is only an attempt so the sentence I will impose of custodial length is one year or 12 months. You have no previous convictions.
'I am prepared to suspend that [sentence] of 12 months, not that that has any practical value to you. Your immigration status is in jeopardy and it is likely you will be deported back to Bangladesh.'
Recorder Nolan QC sentenced Raihan to 12 months prison suspended for 12 months, ordered that he must abide by a sexual prevention order for five years and sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.
A spokesman for Guardians of the North said: 'He wanted sex and wanted to bring condoms. He knew he had ruined his life, he was devastated. It is one less problem we have to deal with in this country. Suspended sentences just send the message that it's okay. What's the point being suspended? It is no deterrent what so ever.'
