An isolated alcoholic fell for online stings posted by four different paedophile-hunting groups, posing as underage girls on internet chat sites, a court heard.

Darren Spooner, 54, who was said to have a, “long-term sexual dependence on the internet”, became involved in sexualised chat with what he believed were girls aged between 12 and 14.

Durham Crown Court heard each one was, in reality, a fake decoy profile posted by various vigilante groups seeking to trap paedophiles.

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The court was told he sent each of the “girls” pictures of himself and his private parts, and in each case asked them to reciprocate, but with all four he told them not to tell anyone about their chats.

All four of his illicit chats were conducted over three days in August 2021 and came to a halt after one of the vigilante groups confronted him at the home he shares with his step mother, for whom he is the registered carer.

Spooner, of Cairo Street, Hendon, Sunderland, admitted four counts of attempted sexual communication with a child, all classed as “attempts” as none of the girls existed.

Kate Barnes, in mitigation, told the court: “His alcoholism does explain, in part, why he was committing these offences.

“He’s an isolated man, with no relationships, family, friends, and he developed a particularly long-term sexual dependence on the internet.

“He states that he now avoids use of the internet and he’s reduced his drinking to almost nil by alcohol consumption.

“He lives with his step-mother who is dependent on him for cooking, cleaning and shopping.

“He receives an income as her official carer.”

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Miss Barnes said alcohol intake was the issue which raises the risk of him reoffending.

Referring to a pre-sentence probation report on Spooner, Miss Barnes said: “It’s thought he would benefit from more structured direction and purpose as he assessed as presenting a medium risk.

“While custody in this case would be thoroughly deserved in this case, I urge the court to take an alternative course.

“He’s an isolated, naïve and vulnerable man and custody would have a significantly detrimental effect on him and his step-mother.

“Various measures can be taken to reduce the risk he poses.

“He’s already taken steps to lower his alcohol consumption and desist from using the internet.”

Recorder Edward Legard told Spooner: “Four times in August 2021 you entered into sexualised online communication with what you believed to be young girls, aged between 12 and 14.

“In actual fact they were controlled by others, online decoy profiles, and you sent intimate images of yourself.

“You told them not to tell anyone, otherwise you would get into trouble.”

Recorder Legard said he told one girl you were good friends and you would wait for her to be your girlfriend.

“You were finally confronted at your address and immediately admitted what you had done and were subsequently arrested.”

Recorder Legard said given the nature of the conversations and the age disparity, despite the girls not really existing, an immediate prison sentence was “mrited”.

But he told Spooner: “This has presented me with a dilemma.

“I’m satisfied you are genuinely remorseful and you are previously of good character as far as this type of offence in concerned.

“You are considered a low risk of reoffending and a medium risk of causing sexual harm to children.

“You became isolated, reclusive, lacking any outdoor interests and chronic alcohol dependent.”

He told Spooner he could not complain if he was jailed, but he decided, with the prospect of rehabilitation in his case, to impose a ten-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Read next:

               Consett man sent sexual images to what he thought was a 12-year-old girl

               Durham judge said 'inference' was man was grooming girl for sex

               County Durham sex offender exchanged messages with mother of child

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Spooner was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and take part in 30 probation rehabilitation activity days and attend up to 90 days of a sex offenders’ group work programme.

He was also ordered to comply with a six-month alcohol treatment programme.

Spooner will be subject to registration as a sex offender and the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, each for ten years.