Man who said he would travel 200 miles for sex with 12-year-old girl caught in police sting

Darron Wilkinson thought he had connected with a child over Chatiw in August last year but had been duped by an undercover police officer, who was running the fake social media profile.

Newcastle Crown Court heard over a period of five days, after being told he was talking to a girl aged 12, Wilkinson engaged in conversations with her over WhatsApp, which became graphic and sexual.

Prosecutor Saba Shan said Wilkinson asked about the youngster's body, her sexual inexperience, gave her instructions about a sexual act and made suggestions about what they could do together.

Miss Shan added: "The defendant arranged to drive from his home in Easington Lane to a park in the Coventry area, 200 miles away. He asked her to wear a dress and sexy underwear in readiness of their meeting in this park.

"He said they would have penetrative sexual intercourse in the trees. He said he was nervous but excited."

During the conversation Wilkinson assured the girl he would take steps to avoid her becoming pregnant. The court heard no actual meeting took place and Wilkinson was on a trip to Blackpool with his then partner instead.

Wilkinson, 50, of Victoria Terrace, Murton, County Durham, admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence.

Tony Cornberg, defending, said the conversation was Wilkinson, who was lonely, "indulging and envisaging fantasies" and added: "Not only did he not make the journey that weekend, he went with his then partner to Blackpool.

"He thought a holiday away together may be nice and they went for a meal, a show and had a nice time, a far cry from what is in the messages."

Mr Cornberg said Wilkinson is "disgusted with himself", has never been in trouble before, has a good work ethic and has been a delivery driver since he was a teenager. Mr Recorder Dapinder Singh KC sentenced Wilkinson to two years suspended for two years with rehabilitation requirements.

Wilkinson was ordered to abide by a sexual harm prevention order and sign the sex offenders register for ten years. The recorder told him: "You have been given an opportunity to rehabilitate yourself, don't waste it."