February 2021 Pervert caught by paedophile hunters A pervert has been handed a community order after attempting to groom a child online. Czech national Michal Matrtaj, 39 of Adam Close, St Leonards appeared at Lewes Crown Court where he was sentenced for: Adult attempt to engage in sexual communication with a child The court was told that in 2018, Solar Panel Installer Matrtaj had contacted an online profile of someone he believed was a 13 year old girl Matrtaj sent sexually explicit messages which showed clear intent of engaging the child in sexual activity. The pervert sent a number of pictures of his own naked body, before arranging to meet the child. However, the girl did not exist and was instead a decoy called ‘Vinny Lewis’ who poses online as a child in order to catch sexual predators who target kids. When Matrtaj turned up to meet the child, he was met by paedophile hunting group ‘Decoy Central’ who questioned him on his internet activity before ringing the police. The group handed an evidence pack over to police and Matrtaj was arrested. The defendant was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court to a 30 month community order He was told that he must attend a Horizon programme, and undertake a minimum of 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days. The judge told him that he must register as a sex offender for five years and to pay prosecution costs of £425  He was also disqualified from working with children January 2021 Paedophile pleads guilty to sex offence Michael Matrtaj, 39, of Adam Close, St Leonards, indicated a plea of guilty to attempting to communicate with a person under the age of 16, who he did not reasonably believe to be 16 or older, for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification. The offence took place at Hastings between August 17 and October 28. He was committed to Lewes Crown Court for sentencing on February 3 and released on conditional bail.