Paedophile hunters confronted a Bushey man in his own home after he had sexual chats with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

The vigilantes, called Fleetwood Enforcers UK, spent 21 minutes live-streaming their confrontation with Robert Conway before the police arrived.

Conway, 54, believed he was having crude internet conversations with a girl called Ella, who was in fact an adult hunter.

When checks were made it was discovered he had previously been talking to another decoy, who had posed as a 13-year-old called Sarah.

Conway, of Fidler Place, Bushey, appeared for sentence at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday (February 13) having pleaded guilty to two charges of attempting to engage a child in sexual communication.

Prosecutor Daniel Siong said Conway spoke to the decoy over the internet for a six-month period until the hunters went to his home on May 12 last year.

He had told her he was aged 35 while she made it clear she was 14.

“The chats from Ella were naive and timid. He engaged in sexual a talk with her and requested naked images.”

He sent her a selfie of himself. She sent him a photo herself, but refused to send him a topless picture.

“He said he was feeling horny. He called her gorgeous and there was a discussion of a grooming nature. She told him she wanted to be a vet, he sent her a picture of his ill dog.

Watford Observer: Screenshots from the live stream of the arrest.Screenshots from the live stream of the arrest. (Image: Fleetwood Enforcers UK)

Mr Siong said when he was arrested Conway said: “I know what I have been arrested for - saying crude comments to under 18s. I admit it.”

Conway told the police he got very drunk in the evening, took cocaine and would talk to anyone on the internet.

It was then discovered that between June and October 2022 he had been talking to the 13-year-old decoy. Again he claimed to be 35. He exchanged selfies and complimented the “girl” about her body.

Defending, Brian Shaw said Conway was of previous good character. He said he had given a full and frank admission to the police. He said he made no attempt to disguise his name or identity, did not send sexual images of himself and no indecent images were found on his computer or phones.

He said he had sought help for his drink and drug problem and there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation. 

Judge Bilal Siddique said the communication with the decoys was “appalling and atrocious”.

He said Conway had been trying to groom the 14-year-old by sending pictures of his sick dog. “You were pulling on her heart strings,” he said.

The judge said he had escaped going to jail by a “hair’s breadth” and passed an eight-month sentence suspended for 18 months.

He must complete 35 rehabilitation days, carry out 250 hours’ unpaid work and pay £535 prosecution costs. In addition he must abide by a sexual harm prevention order and register as a sex offender for 10 years.