Paul Stone, a “dangerous” convicted sex offender, believing he was conversing with underage females, was actually exchanging conversations with “decoys” from a paedophile hunter organisation, a court has been informed.
Paul Stone, 50, transmitted sexual messages online and through WhatsApp to individuals he believed were two girls under the age of 16.
They were members of a network of paedophile hunters who relayed the information to the police, resulting in his arrest.
Norwich Crown Court was informed that Stone, residing on Jewson Road near Palmer Road in the city, had been in communication with the decoys from September 1 to September 12, 2022.
Jamie Sawyer, prosecuting, said Stone, a registered sex offender who was being managed by Norfolk Constabulary’s public protection unit, had encouraged the decoys to engage in sexual activity and sent pictures and videos of himself to them as well.
He said the “most troubling” aspect of the case involved his previous convictions, which included indecent images offences in 2012 and attempted sexual communication with a child from March this year.
Stone appeared for sentence on Wednesday (November 9) having previously admitted two counts of attempting to cause or incite a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, against one victim between September 1 and September 12.
He had also pleaded guilty to another offence of attempting to cause or incite a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, against another girl between the same dates.
In addition, Stone had pleaded guilty to failing to comply with notification requirements between March 31, 2022, and September 12, 2022, as well as three counts of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) between the same dates.
Passing an extended sentence of eight years and eight months made up of five years and eight months custody and three years on licence, Judge Alice Robinson said it had been “serious” offending.
Judge Robinson said it was a “particular concern” that he “fell into old habits” and as a result of his “continued and persistent sexual offending” regarded him as a “dangerous” offender who was a significant risk of serious harm to children as a result of sexual offending by him.
Michael Clare, mitigating, said the defendant admitted his offending from the outset and should be given “full credit” for his pleas.
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