BRADLEY MASTERSON CAUGHT IN NORTH SHIELDS BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS IN SHOCKING ONLINE MEET-UP SCANDAL

In August 2016, a disturbing incident unfolded involving a young man from North Shields who was caught in a sting operation conducted by paedophile hunters. The group, known as Dark Justice, had set up a fake online profile to lure in individuals seeking to engage in illegal activities with minors. The confrontation was recorded and later presented in court, revealing the disturbing details of the case.

Bradley Masterson, aged 19 at the time, had been communicating with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl named Roxxy through social media platforms. Unbeknownst to him, the account was operated by members of Dark Justice, who had created the profile to catch potential offenders. Despite being aware of the girl’s age, Masterson sent a series of highly suggestive messages, including explicit questions about having sex and requests for photographs of her changing clothes.

During the court hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on August 8, it was revealed that Masterson had been actively pursuing the young girl, even after she reminded him that she was underage. Prosecutor Alex Burns explained that the communication did not last long before Masterson expressed a desire to meet her in person. When questioned about his motives, he was unable to provide a clear explanation for the sexual messages he had sent.

The video footage captured by Dark Justice showed the moment the group confronted Masterson. When asked about the girl’s age, he responded ambiguously, claiming, “I’m not too sure actually, she never really told me.” He also denied any intention of meeting her for sexual purposes, despite the evidence suggesting otherwise.

In a previous hearing, Masterson had admitted to attempting to meet a child following acts of sexual grooming. Nevertheless, he avoided immediate imprisonment. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 12 months in a young offenders institution, though this sentence was suspended for two years and accompanied by supervision requirements. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order for five years.

Judge Ben Nolan remarked that Masterson had been “entrapped” into committing the crime but also emphasized that he had responded to the online messages with enthusiasm, indicating a clear intent to engage in illegal activity. The judge further advised Masterson to distance himself from online communications related to young girls and to seek help for his unhealthy interests. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of Dark Justice, which has successfully identified and caught several individuals attempting to exploit minors through internet platforms, by posing as underage girls themselves.