NORTHWICH MAN JAILED FOR ATTEMPTING TO MEET UNDERAGE GIRL IN PAEDOPHILE STING
A paedophile arranged a meet-up with who he understood to be an underage girl, a court has heard.Yunus Erdogan, 25, from South Normanton, Derbyshire, planned to meet 'Mya' at Cheadle Hulme Station on October 30 last year.
Chester Crown Court was told Erdogan had been in contact via social media and WhatsApp, engaging in sexual conversations with who he believed was an underage girl.
Prosecutor Peter Hussey stated that Erdogan fled from the railway station after realizing he was confronted by a paedophile hunting team who tracked him to his place of work in Northwich.
Erdogan admitted to attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child and to sexual communication with a child.
During the court hearing, Mr Hussey reported Erdogan's statement that he knew the girl was young but claimed he did not realize it was an offense.
Erdogan, who attended court via a video link from HMP Altcourse, was sentenced to three years in prison, with the possibility of up to half of that being served.
Upon release, he is to be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Judge Patrick Thompson expressed his revulsion at Erdogan's actions, emphasizing the importance of addressing such behaviors to prevent longer sentences.
Erdogan's lawyer, Richard Thomas, mentioned that the entire encounter was over just a few hours and involved a decoy, which mitigated potential physical or psychological harm.
