Blackpool paedophile was on licence for attempted murder when he sent lewd messages to boy

Carl Savage, 49, of East Topping Street, thought he was speaking to a 14-year-old boy but was actually speaking to a "very young looking 29-year old" decoy for a self styled paedophile hunting group, Preston Crown Court heard.

At the time Savage was on a prison licence for the attempted murder of his ex partner, who he attacked with a knife in the Morley area of Leeds in 2006.

He admits attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Joe Allman, prosecuting, the case related to contact between defendant and a person acting on behalf of a group called Elite Predator Interceptors.

He added: " He set up a decoy on Facebook and his profile indicated he was a bicurious teenager.

"The defendant sent the decoy a friend request in August 2019. He engaged him in conversation over a period of time.

"He introduced him to ideas around gay sex.

"He told the decoy he worked in what he called a 'sex hotel'.

"He told him that nobody would know except for them when the decoy expressed misgivings about the disparity in age - the defendant was reasonably upfront about his own age."

Savage asked for lewd pictures of the child, sent explicit messages and tried to encourage the boy to have sexual conversations.

On February 16 a man and woman from the group confronted him at a Blackpool hotel and called the police.

Defending, Andy Scott said Savage was "disgusted with himself" and knew what he was doing was wrong.

Judge Philip Parry said: "It was plainly a slow burn for you because it lasted through to February this year.

"I have seen and read all the messages the police retrieved from that communication you believe to be with a 14-year-old boy and quite frankly it is repulsive.

"You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself .

"Effectively you fell right into the decoy's trap."

Savage is barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.