A man snared by vigilantes as he engaged in lewd online chat with what he thought was a 13-year-old girl has now been jailed for breaching a court order he was given as part of his original sentence for the offence.
Daniel Pearson was publicly outed as members of a group called at his home and live-streamed a confrontation that attracted more than 70,000 views.
Pearson had encouraged what he believed — and been told — was a 13-year-old girl to send a naked picture. He also forwarded a lewd photo of himself and suggested their chat become private on WhatsApp.
He admitted a charge of attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity and as punishment was handed a three-year community order at Carlisle Crown Court in October of 2021 with requirements aimed at rehabilitation.
He was also made subject to the terms of a five-year sexual harm prevention order placing restrictions on his online activities.
But the crown court heard today that since then there had been numerous breaches by Pearson of that order and also notification requirements through which he must keep police up to date with his whereabouts.
He appeared in front of Judge Richard Archer for sentencing having admitted flouting the order twice more — in each case by installing privacy browser software on a laptop. This device had been handed over to an offender manager for analysis during a routine meeting.
Pearson’s lawyer spoke of continued problems with his consequential thinking.
But Judge Archer said only an immediate prison sentence could be imposed as there was no realistic prospect of rehabilitation, and jailed him for 12 months.
The judge told Pearson, of Carlisle: “You knew full well what you were doing. It only goes to demonstrate how brazen you have been and your desire, your attempts to breach this order.”
