John Armitage 45

Description

A convicted sex offender travelled 140 miles in the hope of having sex with a 14-year-old girl, only to find out he was being played by a paedophile hunter, a court has heard.

John Armitage travelled from Gainsborough to Newcastle upon Tyne believing he would be meeting a school girl called Ellie who he had been talking to on a dating app.

Armitage, who had previously served a jail sentence for offences against two young girls, had arranged to meet the schoolgirl despite knowing she was underage.

But instead when he arrived at Newcastle railway station he discovered he was the victim of a sting.

He was confronted and then arrested after police were called to the station.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said Armitage had initially contacting "Ellie" on a dating app for over 18s.

In a series of messages he was told she was only 14 but persisted and said he wanted to meet her for sex telling her he would "be gentle".

Armitage suggested he contact her school pretending to be her father and arrange for her to have a week off so that they could be together.

But the court was told that "Ellie" was actually a member of the Net Justice Group using a fake profile to trap paedophiles.

John Armitage, 40, of Warren Close, Gainsborough, admitted a charge of attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming together with a further offence of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity with a child. Both charges relate to the period between 12 March and 14 April last year.

He also pleaded guilty to three charges of making a total of 958 indecent photographs of a child between September 2015 and April 2018. The images include 164 assessed as being in the most serious category. He further admitted further charges of possession of a prohibited image of a child and possession of cannabis.

The court was told that he had a previous conviction in 2008 when he was given a four year sentence at Leeds Crown Court for sexual assault charges relating to two girls under the age of 13.

He also has two convictions for failing to comply with the sex offender registration notification requirements and a further conviction for outraging public decency.

Judge Hirst told him "Ellie told you she was 14 and her mum was very strict. She said she was from Newcastle and you suggested you meet up for a kiss and a cuddle.

"There was discussion about how you liked having sex and Ellie told you that she didn't know girls of her age did that.

"Over the next days the conversation continued about what sexual things you wanted to do with her.

"This case is aggravated by the persistent nature of the communications including you suggesting that you pretend to be Ellie's father and ring her school. You told her to have a week off school.

"You travelled to Newcastle intent on having sex with a 14 year old girl.

"Plainly your offending is so serious that only immediate custody can be imposed."

Armitage was sentenced to five years and nine months which includes three years and nine months custody plus an extra two years licence during which he will be at risk of being returned to prison.

Judge Simon Hirst imposed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and placed him on the sex offenders' register for life.

Christopher Dickins, in mitigation, said "He accepts that he wanted a full sexual relationship. He is deeply sorry.

"He instructs me that at the time he was self-medicating for depression and anxiety but he has now got that on an even keel."