April 2018 Judge mocks paedophile’s excuse after he turned up with a knife to meet schoolboy A pervert caught with a knife when he arrived to meet a schoolboy claimed it was to cut meat. However the ‘boy’ was actually paedophile hunters Guardian of the North, who snared 44-year-old Ian Tindle outside a McDonald’s. A judge claimed Tindle’s excuse for carrying the steak knife – in case he went to a steakhouse and needed to use it – was “fanciable”. “You should go to a more reputable restaurant,” Judge Stephen Earl said. But speaking after the case, Guardians of the North slammed the judge’s decision to spare Tindle prison. A member said: “Considering he had a steak knife too, he should have been jailed. “The sentence is too low and too soft. “It sends out a message to other paedophiles that it’s OK to groom children online.” Newcastle Crown Court heard Tindle attempted overdosing after being caught in the sting. Paul Schofield, representing Tindle, claimed the defendant was “ill equipped” to cope with prison. “The defendant does need an amount of professional help,” he added. Tindle – who lives yards from a school – pleaded guilty to grooming and possessing the blade on February 22. He was caught after trying to meet who he thought was a 14-year-old named Ryan.   “He had only been chatting to us for a day or two and he decided he wanted to meet,” the Guardians of the North member added. “It wasn’t very long chat and he acted quickly.” They arranged to meet Tindle outside a Farrington McDonald’s, in Kent. Usually the group film the encounters however police swooped almost immediately – meaning they didn’t get a chance. At sentencing, Tindle, of Dunstanburgh Close, Washington, was handed a decade-long Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He must also sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for the next ten years with restrictions imposed on his web use. His 12-month prison sentence was suspended for 18 months. “If you don’t comply or you commit a further offence you and I will meet again,” warned Judge Earl.