A WARRINGTON man has been jailed after being caught out in a ‘paedophile hunter’ sting.

Matthew White, of HMP Altcourse, sent indecent images and an explicit video of himself to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl.

The 32-year-old was jailed for a year at Chester Crown Court on Friday, August 3, after admitting attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child and attempting to cause a child to watch sexual activity.

White began communication with his supposed victim on social media on Saturday, June 16, and later sent the explicit materials.

But he was confronted by self-styled paedophile hunters at his home on Thursday, June 28, and subsequently arrested.

Admitting the charges against him, White was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years and to pay a victim surcharge of £140.

Detective constable Jo McDonough, of the Warrington Local Policing Unit, said: “We are committed to pursuing and bringing to justice those who prey on vulnerable children using social media and messaging apps.

“Although there was no actual victim in this case, there is no going away from the fact that White tried to send indecent images and a video to a 14-year-old girl.

“Thankfully he is now behind bars and can no longer pose a threat to young girls.”