January 2016

Pervert snared by paedophile hunters Dark Justice in Newcastle

This is the moment online predator David Hutchinson is arrested by police after he arranged to meet a 14-year-old “schoolgirl” in Newcastle city centre.

But the teenager did not exist and was used as bait by paedophile hunters Dark Justice to flush out Hutchinson who had been sending explicit messages . 

Now the 47-year-old, who is from Wallsend , has been sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 12 months, after he pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to meet a child after sexual grooming.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Hutchinson began sending online messages to a girl called “Amy”, who was in fact a member of Dark Justice.

Over time, and after exchanging mobile telephone numbers, the messages became more sexually explicit and the court was told Hutchinson, a father-of-two, asked inappropriate questions and sent obscene pictures of himself.

Anne Richardson, prosecuting, said: “The messages became more sexual in nature and he asked her questions like what colour knickers she was wearing.

“He asked if she wanted to have sex and she replied by saying she had never done it before.”

Following the exchanges the couple arranged to meet at Times Square in Newcastle city centre but when Hutchinson, now of Elswick, Newcastle turned up he was greeted by Dark Justice and Northumbria Police.

The court heard how, at first, Hutchinson claimed he was meeting the girl to go shopping but, after he was confronted with the messages, admitted sending them and knowing she was underage.

Text messages that David Hutchinson sent

The court heart Hutchinson had pleaded guilty at the earliest possible time and accepted that he had been “extremely foolish”. He was described as a “sad and lonely” character who has been rejected by members of his family because of his behaviour.

Judge Edward Bindloss said Hutchinson’s actions had the potential for significant harm but took into account his previous good character and the fact he suffered from learning difficulties.

He also rejected any claims Dark Justice had entrapped Hutchinson.

Judge Bindloss said: “There is no criticism of Dark Justice or the method they have used nor of the language that Amy exhibited during the exchanged between them.

“I consider Dark Justice to have done nothing wrong here.”