Paedophile sent explicit images to ‘14-year-old girl’

Derek Hornett (57) first started messaging the girl on September 18, 2018, but it was in fact a decoy account set up by an Online Child Abuse Activist Group (OCAG).

The online profile claimed that the girl was 18, but after initiating a conversation Hornett was told that she was 14-years-old.

Despite this, he continued to message her, sending explicit images of his genitals and suggesting they meet up to “touch each other”.

The meeting was arranged at a car park on Newmarket Road on September 29, however, Hornett was met by the adult decoys who called the police and he was quickly arrested.

During his police interview, Hornett admitted that he “knew he should have stopped but didn’t”.

Hornett, of Fen Road, Cambridge, pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following grooming.

At Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday he was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, and handed a 15 year SHPO. He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and will be added to the sex offenders register for 15 years.

DC Laura Smith said: “Hornett’s behaviour was completely inappropriate and he fully intended to meet a teenage girl.

“Using the internet to target young and vulnerable girls will not be tolerated and thankfully Hornett was stopped.

“Protecting young people from harm is one of our top priorities and we will continue to work tirelessly to keep our communities safe.”