Police were alerted when business consultant Simarjit Singh arrived at the KFC in Trench, Telford, believing he was meeting a teenager to have sex.

Contraceptives were found in his black Audi car after he was confronted by members of group calling themselves ‘Internet Interceptors’ in September last year.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court, Singh was jailed for 12 months, having admitted a charge of attempting to meet a child after sexual grooming. The court heard Singh had already served half the prison sentence while in custody on remand and was expected to be released on licence within a few days.

Judge Anthony Lowe said Singh had been involved in “sustained contact” on the internet as he groomed a person he believed was a real 14-year-old girl.

He said the defendant had engaged in talking about sexual activity and had been equipped to have sex but had been “set up” by the vigilante group.

Singh, of Squires Gate Road, Willenhall, was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order and must register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Mr Robert Edwards, prosecuting, said Singh had responded to a fake online profile in the name of ‘Lucy’ with a clear date of birth, which was set up by the organisation that was seen on social media sites.

He said Singh was engaged in conversations of a sexual nature, which were crude and pornographic, and he had also posted a pornographic video of himself.

Advertising

The meeting at Trench was arranged on September 3 when Singh believed he was to be involved in sexual activity with a teenage girl.

Mr Kevin Saunders, for Singh, said the picture used by the vigilantes looked like a young woman, the date of birth was not clearly visible and there was no actual victim.

He said his client was remorseful and had been been shamed on the internet, with some comments including death threats.