RYAN ANDREW SHERIDAN

On Thursday (September 19), Ryan Andrew Sheridan appeared before Northampton Crown Court to receive a sentence for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a girl in her early teens.

Sheridan, residing on Manor Road in Earls Barton, was identified by an online group of paedophile hunters who visited his residence in April and broadcasted the encounter live on Facebook.

He pleaded guilty to the charge at his first court appearance and returned to court this week for sentencing.

During the hearing, it was revealed that Sheridan faced numerous issues, including a global learning delay.

It was also mentioned that he has a prior conviction for sexually assaulting a young girl, an offence he committed when he was just 14 years old.

In delivering the sentence, Recorder Adrian Jack noted that Sheridan was particularly susceptible to the temptations presented by the vigilante group.

He stated that the case did not meet the criteria for immediate custody, and Sheridan was instead ordered to complete a 36-month community order.

This includes six months of trail monitoring, participation in an accredited sex offender treatment program, and 25 days of rehabilitation requirements.