Sunderland paedophile snared by Dark Justice

Richard Oglesby has admitted attempted grooming after the organisation set up a fake account in the name of Haley.

The 26-year-old, from Birrell Street, Sunderland, has previous convictions for sexual contact with a girl of the same age and sexual grooming in 2011.

Sunderland Magistrates’ Court heard the incident happened in the lead up to November 30 last year in Sunderland.

Laura Lax, prosecuting, said the first message was sent on October 22 last year, when it was made clear “Haley” was 13.

Later in the conversation, Oglesby sent the account an intimate photograph of himself and requested pictures in return.

She said: “A message was sent by a man called Richard and when he is told she is 13 years old, Mr Oglesby has then said ‘Bye’.

“Several days pass, and he returns to the conversation.

“There are messages of personal context, a number have sexual content. The conversation moves to Whatsapp. He asks if she would like to cuddle and kiss in bed and there’s a suggestion they could meet in a car.

“He also sent a message asking if she was a virgin.

“He asks her for photos in further messages and sexual messages were sent to Haley.

“On November 30, in a street, a meeting is arranged, but instead he was challenged by members of Dark Justice and the police are contacted.”

Chris Wilson, mitigating, said: “The facts are not being challenged and the crown court is obviously to hear the outcome.”

Oglesby was remanded in custody until his next appearance.

He will next appear before Newcastle Crown Court on Monday, March 20.

At a previous hearing, Oglesby had faced an allegation of grooming, but at the latest sitting, the court heard that charge had been withdrawn and a new charge of attempted grooming was to be put in its place, with the defendant pleading guilty by video link from prison.