April 2019 Pervert caught by paedophile hunting team A sex offender has finally been jailed after he was caught in two separate paedophile hunting stings. Ian Bates of Barnsley, appeared at court where he admitted a string of online grooming offences The court was told that Bates had contacted the profile of who he believed was a young girl. He sent a number of sexually charged messages with the clear intent of engaging that child into sexual activity. However, the child did not exist and was instead a member of paedophile hunting team ‘Net Justice’. The team confronted Bates in October 2017 and questioned him about his internet activity. The police were called, Bates was arrested but later released ‘under investigation’ Several months later, Bates returned to social media and contacted another profile that he believed belonged to a schoolgirl. Again he sent sexually explicit messages and promised the girl that he would buy some wine for her so they could get drunk.  In a bid to meet the girl, he suggested she tell her mum that she was babysitting. However when Bates turned up to meet the girl, he was shocked to discover he had infact been caught in another paedophile hunting team sting. The team this time was ‘One Reason’ Bates appeared at court and the judge sentenced him to two Years imprisonment  He must register as a sex offender for 15 Years and a 15 year sexual harm prevention order was also imposed