Overview:
At Gloucester Crown Court Nicholas Wragg, representing, Benjamin Willis, 41, of St James’ Square, Cheltenham, said there had been eight recent suicides by men caught by such groups.
Willis was before the court after he admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child aged 13 between September 1, 2017 and May 1, 2018.
In fact ‘Amy’, whom he was talking to online, was not a girl but an adult male paedophile hunter, the court heard.
‘He would ask for videos and photos’
Prosecutor Neil Treharne told Judge Michaal Cullum that Willis was using a dating app which has set a minimum age of 17.
“A conversation began between the defendant and ‘Amy’,” Mr Treharne said. “By the third message she said ‘I am 13’.