Leeds paedophile caught when explicit Snapchat video of himself sent to a 12-year-old girl was found by her dad

Campbell Lyden sent the sick video believing it was going to be viewed by the young victim.

Leeds Crown Court heard the girl's dad took a screenshot of the video, which was later used as evidence in court.

Lyden, 21, was given a three-year community order after pleading guilty to engaging in sexual communication with a child, attempting to cause a child under the age of 13 to watch a sexual act, making an indecent photo of a child and possession of extreme pornography.

Soheil Khan, prosecuting, said the victim was using an anonymous question and answer app within Snapchat when Lyden started messaging her.

They exchanged messages and Lyden replied to a photo she had posted, describing her as "cute".

The girl told her teachers and staff at the school in Leeds informed her dad.

The dad used her account to message Lyden, who continued sending sexual messages.

The defendant then sent an explicit video of himself and the girl's dad took a screenshot of it.

Lyden, of Amberton Lane, Gipton, Leeds, was arrested and admitted the offences, saying he was aware the victim was a child.

In January 2020, Lyden had downloaded one category C indecent image of a child.

In November 2019, he had downloaded a video depicting the sexual abuse of an animal.

Lyden has a previous conviction for sexual assault.

Martin Morrow, mitigating, said Lyden has the mental age of a 15-year-old and has difficulty forming relationships with his peers.

Lyden was made the subject of a community order requiring him to complete a 35-day sex offender treatment programme and 40 days of rehabilitation activity.

He was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for five years and made subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order.