David Gouldburn, 46, of Hyde Park Street, Bensham, Gateshead, was jailed for a total of 57 months at Newcastle Crown Court after pleading guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, and two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
Offences followed suspended sentence
On March 11 this year, Gouldburn was given a 17-month suspended prison sentence for having child abuse images. But on May 7 he began communicating with someone from a paedophile hunting group, posing as a 14-year-old girl.
After telling her she was "so pretty, ten out of ten pretty", Gouldburn moved the conversation on to sexual matters and suggested they message on Whatsapp and asked for her number.
Sexual messages to decoy
The court heard he asked to see what they were wearing and when sent a picture purporting to show a girl in pyjamas, he said "I would like to see more of you". He also said she had "sexy ankles" and added that he would "rather see something else".
When reminded by the decoy she was 14, he asked what they were wearing under their shirt and when told she had never sent pictures of her breasts, he said there was a "first time for everything". When asked by the "girl" if she would get into trouble, Gouldburn said "I doubt it" and asked about her underwear. He also told her to "get your boobs out" and asked about her bottom.
Defence comments
Chris Knox, defending, said: "This was all fake, it was all someone who wasn't real." He added that Gouldburn has claimed he knew the profile was not a real child and described him as a "sad and unhappy man".
