A paedophile who thought he was chatting to a child online has got his comeuppance after he had actually been speaking to an undercover cop.
Darran Faith, from Sunderland, made indecent images of children and attempted to engage one of them in a sexual act.
But little did he know that he was actually speaking to an undercover police officer from Northumbria Police who had been building a mountain of evident against him.
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Officers seized a number of devices from the 43-year-old’s home including his laptop, which contained multiple indecent images of children.
Faith was interviewed in January 2021 after engaging in sexual communications with a child online.
He was later charged with attempting sexual communication with a child and making indecent images of children, and pleaded guilty to all counts at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on October 27.
Yesterday (Wednesday November 30) Faith appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where he was sentenced to 12 months behind bars, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to 35 days rehab, 10 years sex offender notification requirement and a 10 year sexual harm prevention order.
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Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Constable Rob Smoult, from the Northumbria Police Cyber Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT), talked of the commitment to safeguarding victims.
She said: “When sex offenders operate online and through social media they think they can hide their crimes but this case shows the lengths officers will go to protect victims and bring offenders before the courts.
“This has been a long and thorough investigation by our team but the strength and bravery of the victim has been inspiring. Her actions have helped us protect other potential victims and put a dangerous predator behind bars.
“We would always encourage anyone with information about this type of offending, or anyone who thinks they have been a victim to come forward and talk to us – we’re here for you and we will support you.”
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