Blackpool paedophile tried to pay mum £200 to abuse eight-year-old girl

Nigel Norton, 40, of Powell Avenue, Blackpool, sent graphic messages about raping the little girl and asked the mother if he could keep a pair of her knickers.

Preston Crown Court heard Norton, posing as a man called Peter, had even discussed bringing the child a gift, and when arrested, Frozen toys and girl's underwear were found in his home.

Fortunately the 'Welsh mummy' was a police officer investigating online abuse

In an interview, Norton, who was convicted in 2014 of 12 indecent image offences and given a sexual harm prevention order, said he was doing it to wind up online paedophile hunters.

But Norton, himself dad to an 11-year-old daughter, now admits arranging the commission of a child sex offence in September 2019 and failing to comply with his notification requirements by failing to tell officers he was using an online pseudonym.

Prosecuting, Mark Kellet said the officer used an online pseudonym on the Say Hi dating app and Kik Messenger of a 25-year-old woman with an eight year old daughter, and indicated she would be prepared to allow subjects to rape and abuse the child.

At first Norton had messaged the profile but was suspicious it was a fake profile, to which the 'mum' replied: "No, just dont think you're into what we have to offer."

His response was: "If we are on the same wavelength then I am...the first time chance of unwrapping a small package, do you have a photo of the small package?"

Later, despite further suspicions he was being set up, he went on to say: "Can't wait to learn more about your tasty little package."

He again asked for pictures and said he was "hoping to see a pic of your pride and joy but will have to wait".

Mr Kellet said: " They discussed how much he would have to pay for different levels of abuse.

"They then discussed ground rules for the abuse and he agreed to take a present for the child."

Norton then discussed how to stop the child disclosing the abuse at school, remarking: " Obviously I need to protect myself as well."

He was traced through his IP address to his place of work in St Annes and his home in Blackpool.

Officers seized a variety of items including two phones containing indecent images, condoms, lubricant, girls knickers, a Frozen money box and Hello Kitty annual.

Defending, Jane Dagnall, said: " He's a complex man with complex needs.

"He says the situation was brought on by his mental health issues, his own particular stresses in life at the time.

She said he had lost his job and relationship and was going to be in a lot of debt,

He has been remanded in jail since last April, throughout Covid, without family visits, due to the pandemic.

Judge Richard Gioserano said he had to consider the level of intended harm to the child and the significant degree of planning.

He said: "It could be said you arranged to commit the sexual offence with another person because you believed you were actually agreeing it with the mother of this child, and you even agreed to pay £200 to sexually abuse the child you believed to be her daughter.

"So too you asked for pictures of the child you believed existed or as you yourself called the child, a 'small package'.