Sidcup man sent sexual messages to ‘14-year-old girl’

Andrew Manning, 50, of Parish Gate Drive, Sidcup, admitted attempting to communicate sexually with a child between February 3 and 22.

Court documents show that he sent messages to the “girl” about sexual acts he would like to perform with her.

But Manning later discovered that what he thought was a 14-year-old girl was actually a fake account belonging to pedophile hunters.

On February 22, Manning faced the pedophile hunters, who broadcast their encounter live and reported him to the police.

Manning pleaded guilty to the charges on March 15 and appeared in Bexley District Court for sentencing on Wednesday (June 5).

He received a two-year community sentence including a 35-day rehabilitation program.

Mannin must also sign the sex offenders register for five years.