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17:37 GMT, Friday, 22 August 2008 18:37 UK

Paedophile caught in online sting

A convicted paedophile has been found guilty of trying to meet a child after being caught in an online police sting.

Christopher Hewitt, 26, of Ghyll Crescent, Horsham, West Sussex, put handcuffs, a hammer and scalpel in his car before a suggested get-together.

Southwark Crown Court heard he tried to groom a 14-year-old over the internet before suggesting they meet in London, and then drive to a wood.

Hewitt admitted the attempt to meet a child following sexual grooming.

'Consensual activity'

When Hewitt turned up at the arranged meeting place, London Bridge, he was met by officers from the Metropolitan Police Paedophile Unit instead of a girl.

After his arrest he learnt the "teenager" he had tried to befriend had been one of their colleagues.

Hewitt denied two further charges accusing him of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity between February 2 and March 17 this year.

Judge Andrew Goymer ordered them to be "left on the file" and not proceeded with.

Eloise Marshall, prosecuting said when his car, which had been parked at Horsham railway station, was searched a sex toy was found in a footwell.

The handcuffs were behind the driver's seat and the scalpel and hammer in the glove box. There was also a picnic blanket in a rucksack.

Indecent images

Ms Marshall said: "Essentially the defendant pleads guilty on the basis that he was expecting to meet a 14-year-old girl and intended to enter into a relationship with her and engage in sexual activity, but any such activity would only be with her consent.

"However, it is of concern to the prosecution that he had these items with him."

Some child porn was also found on his computer at home, although he had not been charged in connection with it.

At the time, Hewitt was subject to three-year rehabilitation order imposed in 2007 for possessing indecent images of children, Ms Marshall added.

Hewitt was remanded in custody until 6 October for a pre-sentence report.




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