HIGH HEATON PENSIONER CAUGHT IN ONLINE CHILD SEX MESSAGING STING
A perverted pensioner named Paul Burne was caught and brought to justice after online vigilantes tricked him into sending sexual messages to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl.Unbeknownst to him, she was actually a decoy.
The court heard that Burne continued communicating despite being told her age, and the messages became sexual in nature, involving discussions of sex acts.
The incident occurred between March 15, 2024, and April 14, 2024.
"He established a connection and, early on, the age of the child was revealed so he was fully aware," said prosecutor Brian Payne.
Burne was arrested and later pleaded guilty at Northumberland Magistrates' Court.
He admitted he knew the age of the child and that the conversation became sexualized.
Previously, he had been given a community order for harassment in September of the previous year.
During court proceedings, the defendant claimed, "It was a moment of madness.
He has been by himself and he was lonely," and that he believed the girl was older because of her picture.
Burne was released on unconditional bail and must now sign the Sex Offenders' Register.
The magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report, setting his next court appearance for August 12 at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
