22 Dec 2009 Parents snare Facebook paedo A COUPLE posed as their 11-year-old DAUGHTER on Facebook — to snare a paedophile who was grooming her for sex. The parents lured pervert Thomas Gibbs into a trap after taking over the youngster’s online profile. Today, the sick 52-year-old is starting a 16-month jail term. A judge heard how the couple, who cannot be named for legal reasons, became concerned at online conversations between their daughter and another person.  Depraved They stepped in and took control of her Facebook account when they realised the correspondent’s depraved intentions. Gibbs suggested meeting the “young girl” and turned up on TWO occasions. The first time, the girl’s mother and other relatives watched him, noting his appearance, but did not speak to him. After the second time the predator was arrested. Gibbs was jailed at Oxford Crown Court after admitting two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming. Prosecutor Jennifer Edwards said the victim was using a laptop in the living room when her mum’s suspicions were suddenly aroused. She said Gibbs was commenting on the girl’s profile picture and said he wanted to kiss her, writing: “I really like you” and “I want to meet you”. The mother then took over the laptop and continued to chat to Gibbs posing as her daughter. The family alerted the police immediately but carried on communicating with him. Mrs Edwards said: “The contact continued for the following week. Each time her daughter went on the computer Mr Gibbs was there ready, willing to respond.” When Gibbs, of Witney, Oxon, suggested meeting, the girl’s mother continued the pretence and arranged to see him on April 18. Family members saw him arrive in the area but did not confront him. The next time he was on Facebook they agreed to another meeting at 7pm in Carterton, Oxon, on April 30, and Gibbs was arrested. Mark Dixon, defending, said there was no discussion of sex itself in the communication. However, he conceded: “It has caused the family hell and he (Gibbs) accepts responsibility and guilt for that.” Gibbs was jailed for 16 months and ordered to sign on to the sex offenders’ register for at least five years. Outside court, the girl’s mother said: “We knew once we’d got involved she was 100 per cent safe and she’s a very bright girl but you obviously think about all the others that could have been targeted. “When it first happened she didn’t want to go out but now she knows it’s all over and he won’t be able to do this to any other families.” She added: “It does make me more wary of Facebook and parents should be aware of what their children are doing on the internet.” Detective Constable Jon Capps said: “I would like to pay tribute to the family who have prevented any further offences being committed, as well as the young girl who was brave enough to tell her parents.”