Alleged paedophile from Wearside arrested in Met Police sting

Thomas Alderson, 46, was arrested on Tuesday after he is alleged to have arranged with an undercover officer to meet two girls, aged eight and 11.

It was part of a major operation by the London force.

The grandfather from Hetton entered no plea to a charge of attempting to arrange or facilitate an offence of rape of a child under the age of 13, when he appeared before Sunderland magistrates.

The offence is said to have been committed between July 22 and September 1, this year.

Alderson’s solicitor Dan Pygall made a bail application.

However, the bench declined jurisdiction and remanded Alderson, a gas pipe manager, in custody, to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on September 16.