Sunderland pervert jailed over shocking online chats with decoy he believed to be girls aged just 12 and 13

Gavin Alder believed he was chatting to actual children during the shocking internet conversations in early 2018 but had been duped by an adult who was behind the fake profiles.

Newcastle Crown Court heard 46-year-old Alder, who claimed to be in his early 30s, made references to "spanking" during the conversations.

Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw said Alder called the 13-year-old "Princess", asked for "naughty pics" and made very graphic sexual references.

He sent her videos of him performing sex acts on himself and told her 'she can't get into trouble if nobody knows'.

Mr Wardlaw said Alder told the teen "I'm your daddy now" and, when he thought she hadn't replied to his messages quick enough, he turned nasty and warned "just wait until tomorrow, I don't mean on here, you better look over your shoulder".

The court heard Alder called the 12-year-old "stunning" and had sexual conversations with her but "didn't go anywhere near as far as the conversations he had with the decoy he believed was 13".

Alder, of Swan Lodge, Sunderland, admitted attempting to incite a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child under 16.

Judge Robert Adams sentenced him to 22 months behind bars with a ten year sexual harm prevention order and sex offender registration.

The judge told him: "Clearly you have a sexual interest in young girls.

"You admit that this communication in both cases was for your own sexual gratification.

"You believed you were chatting with someone 12 and 13."

Judge Adams acknowledged that the children involved in the case did not actually exist but said he had to consider "punishment and deterrence" when considering the appropriate sentence.

The judge told Alder: "There was, in fact, no harm but it was the harm that was attempted that is important."

Tony Cornberg, defending, said intervention from the authorities would be more constructive than sending Alder to jail and could address concerns of any risk he poses.

Mr Cornberg said Alder has lost his job, relationship and home as a result of the conviction and added: "He is someone who has just about lost everything."

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