September 2018

Pervert sentenced after paedophile hunters sting

July 2018

Paedophile hunters confront man who thought he was meeting 13-year-old girl for sex

A 26-year-old man who thought he was meeting a 13-year-old girl for sex was confronted by paedophile hunters near his former home in Poole, a court heard.

Alex Buckland had been communicating with a false Facebook profile created by a group called Justice 4 Kids.

The profile had been created by a decoy for a paedophile hunting team who replied when Buckland contacted the fictional teenager saying: “Hey, how are you doing?”

She replied: “Hi, I am 13-years-old”and Buckland initially apologised, claiming he had not realised her age.

But shortly afterwards Buckland sent indecent pictures and a video of himself.

Numerous instances of “overt sexual communications” followed between March 10 and April 9 this year, the court heard.

Buckland then suggested they move their conversation to Whatsapp, where the meeting was planned.

The court heard Buckland called himself Alex Blade on social media.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard that Buckland was confronted by a paedophile hunter, who had also called police.

When questioned, he confirmed he was the person who had made contact on Facebook and was arrested.

When questioned he told the police he had never had a girlfriend and that he was ashamed of what he had done. He said he regretted making contact.

The court heard that on April 4 this year Buckland had also made a friend request on Facebook to a 15-year-old girl. When she accepted his request, Buckland said: “Hey cutie, how are you doing?”

During the lengthy conversation that followed, Buckland, formerly of Portelet Close, Poole, but now homeless, sent indecent pictures to the frightened girl.

Prosecuting, Dawn Hyland said the girl became nervous and afterwards told police: “He wouldn’t go away. I was not encouraging him at all.”

The girl told Buckland: “You’re creepy” and said: “I have a boyfriend, I think I am a bit young for you. Why are you hitting on little girls anyway?”

The court heard that the girl made it clear throughout the conversation that she was only 15-years-old.

Buckland pleaded guilty to intentionally attempting to cause or incite a girl under 13 into sexual activity and to travelling with the intention of meeting her to commit a relevant sexual offence.

He also admitted intentionally attempting to communicate with a girl under the age of 16 and that the communication was sexual.

The case was adjourned until September 21 for sentence.