A MAN has been jailed after he was caught by a group of paedophile hunters talking to someone on the internet who he believed was a 13-year-old girl.

Billy Duffy was caught by Creep Catchers UK after he groomed and then arranged to meet someone he believed to be a child.

He was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court yesterday for two counts of attempting to entice a child to carry out a sexual act, one count of attempting to cause a child to watch sexual content and one count of arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence.

The 32-year-old logged in to an internet chat site under the name 'Bolton Guy' on May 13 this year and began chatting to someone called 'Kim Manchester'.

Kim Manchester was actually 'vigilante' Darren Minto, who soon after they started talking made Duffy believe that he was a 13-year-old girl.

Mark Kellett, prosecuting, told the court that Duffy quickly turned the conversation to one of a sexual nature and suggested they meet in Manchester for a 'proper chat and a drink', suggesting they engage in sexual acts together.

He sent her sexually explicit pictures of himself and also links to pornographic videos.

After talking for a few days, the pair arranged to meet at Manchester Piccadilly train station but Duffy got 'cold feet' and did not show up.

Minto and his team then posted Duffy's picture on social media and confronted him in Bolton before passing the information to police.

Duffy, of Athlone Avenue, Astley Bridge, was arrested and admitted his offences to police officers but said that he never intended to meet with 'the girl'.

However, judge Recorder Philip Grundy, said that by admitting the offences Duffy was acknowledging that during the chats he did intend to meet her but later changed his mind.

Colin Buckle, defending Duffy, said that it was 'impossible' for any offence to ever be carried out as the 13-year-old girl was not a real person.

He added that Duffy had no previous convictions of this type and that he should get credit for pleading guilty to the offences.

Mr Buckle also called Mr Minto's conduct into question during the proceedings.

He said: "Throughout these proceedings Mr Minto has behaved in an unhelpful and dangerous manner."

However, recorder Grundy offered another view on the work of 'paedophile hunter' groups.

He said: "The way this has come to light, the public may say 'well done' and that 'children need to be protected'."

Mr Buckle added that the 'right authority' for convicting criminals was the court, GMP and the prosecution.

Judge Grundy said that Duffy has faced issues with his family and in the community due to his name and picture being put on social media by Minto.

He added that the communications sent by Duffy to 'Kim' were 'wicked and provocative'.

Duffy was sentenced to two years in prison for arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sexual offence and two years for the other three offences all to be served concurrently.

Speaking after the sentence was passed, Mr Minto said: "I think he deserves more but at least he is off the streets. The sentence was very lenient.

"I think there is a victim in these and the intent was there."