HGV driver, 58, jailed for attempting to engage in sexual acts with a minor during online conversations

HGV DRIVER, 58, JAILED FOR ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE IN SEXUAL ACTS WITH A MINOR DURING ONLINE CONVERSATIONS

A HGV driver who was 'accosted' by paedophile hunters after they caught him talking to a 'schoolgirl' has been locked up.

Gary Mosedale, aged 58, sustained a back injury while attempting to prevent a group from entering his Staffordshire home.

The court heard he believed he was talking to a child online, telling her "it is too bad you are not 16", and called her 'beautiful' while instructing her to perform sex acts.

In reality, he was speaking to an adult woman.

Mosedale engaged in a conversation that became sexual, sending videos during the days-long exchange.

Prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson stated, "He said 'when you are 16 or 17 boys will be after one thing'", and a group later went to his house on May 31, leading to his arrest.

CCTV captured the initial interaction.

Mosedale attempted to block the group from entering his property.

He has 17 previous convictions for 46 offences, though none were sexual.

During sentencing, Judge Richard McConaghy highlighted that Mosedale believed he was talking to a 13-year-old girl, but the profile was not real.

Mosedale admitted to attempting sexual communication with a child, trying to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.

He was sentenced to four years in prison, placed on the sex offenders register for life, and given an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Mosedale, of Bridgwood Road, Blythe Bridge, has taken responsibility for his actions and is now in a wheelchair due to injuries sustained during the incident.

Prior to remand, he was working as an HGV driver and has sought medical assistance.