Bolton: Man caught out by 'predator interceptors' group

Jakkar Jaythu, 38, was lured to Bolton by a member of a group calling itself Elite Predator Interceptors on June 17 this year.

Thinking he was going to meet a 14-year-old girl, Bolton Crown Court heard that he had instead been talking to a grown woman who was a member of the group.

Wayne Jackson, prosecuting, said: “It was clear the contents of the messages had been designed to lead up to a meeting with the girl which was designed to lead up for sexual activity to take place.”

The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

He added: “Because it was an attempt and because it was a fictitious person, there should be a downward adjustment in this case.”

Mr Jackson told the court that Jaythu, of Heathfoot Avenue, Heysham, had begun talking to the "girl" online and that the conversation then progressed to WhatsApp.

He said that there was clear sexual intent behind the messages and it was for that reason that he had tried to meet her in Bolton.

But once arriving he was shocked to find he had in fact been communicating with a grown woman who was a member of a "self-appointed group" which intercepted "predators".

Jaythu was arrested soon afterwards and convicted of attempted sexual communications with a child and attempted sexual activity with a child.

He was also found to have driven without a licence or insurance and while banned.

Neil Ronan, defending, told the court that Jaythu was a man of previous good character who needed "targeted help".

He said: “This is a man in desperate need, you might think, of help.”

He added: “This is a man who now wishes to move forward with his life.”

Mr Ronan reminded the court that no actual sexual activity had taken place and that the period he was sending messages was "relatively short", coming to just a few days.

But the Honorary Recorder for Bolton Judge Martin Walsh pointed out just how serious the crime Jaythu had attempted to commit was.

He also ruled that because Jaythu had only been convicted after trial he was not entitled to credit for having pleaded guilty.

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He said: “As was clear, the contact was designed to lead up to a meeting with the girl, which was then designed for sexual activity to take place.”

He added: “But the girl did not in fact exist.”

Judge Walsh sentenced Jaythu to four years in prison and hit him with a further 12 month driving ban, extended to take account of his time in custody.