Paedophile hunter tells Leeds judge that order is stopping him from catching perverts
He even claimed CBO was given to stop him working
A self-styled paedophile hunter who has helped convict hundreds of perverts says a court order is stopping him from doing his job.
Philip Hoban led a group known as Predator Exposure who entrap online paedophiles looking to meet children.
He was jailed in 2024 for hurling religious and racist abuse during protest clashes in Leeds city centre, and also given a five-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) preventing him from gathering in groups of more than two that could cause harassment, alarm or distress.
The 50-year-old returned to Leeds Crown Court this week in a bid to overturn the CBO, saying it was affecting his work with Predator Exposure. He also said it was affecting his mental health.
Representing himself, he told the judge: “What I did was wrong, but I’m not racist. I do not want to cause trouble.
“I will never go to another protest in my life. It was a stupid mistake.”
He said that he was “scared to go to a pub” in case there is trouble and he is arrested for breaching his CBO.
Hoban, of Beeston, also said he fears confronting paedophiles in public because it could also put him in breach.
Becoming frustrated, he questioned why he was given the CBO, saying that the defendant who was sentenced alongside him was not given a similar order.
He said that he has helped secure over 480 convictions, but said he feels like the courts do not him want to continue the work.
He said: “It’s because of Predator Exposure, nobody else was given one [a CBO].
“Nobody is giving me answers.”
But Judge Howard Crowson quickly told him: “It’s nothing to do with that. It’s to do with what you did that day.”
He questioned why Hoban needed to be directly involved in the paedophiles “stings” - when they confront the targeted paedophiles which are often livestreamed.
Judge Crowson refused to adjust or remove the CBO, telling Hoban: “It does not stop you carrying out a lawful life.
“I’m afraid I just do not see any basis.
“It is not truly interfering with your life.”
Hoban became embroiled in a protest on The Headrow on the afternoon of August 3, 2024.
Police erected barriers near to Leeds Art Gallery to keep far-right demonstrators and anti-fascist supporters apart. However, insults were traded between the groups.
Hoban admitted causing racially-aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.
He was caught on camera chanting, pretending to pray like a Muslim, and rubbing his lips as a racial slur.
Footage of the events were played to the court. Hoban was later arrested after being identified.
Footage that was not shown to the court but put on record showed Hoban trying to reason with the opposing groups during the protests.
During his police interview, he denied being racist and said he was of mixed heritage. He claimed he was chanting “Alan” rather than “Allah”. He also said he was not mimicking Muslim prayers and said that both sides were hurling insults.
Hoban has 24 previous convictions for 66 offences, including, affray, possession of bladed articles, arson, drug offences and was jailed for 42 months in 2006 for burglary.
Representing himself, Hoban said: “I would like to apologise to the person and people I have offended. I’m truly sorry. I mean it from the bottom of my heart. I had no right to do what I did.
“Everybody who knows me knows I’m not racist. Most of my friends are from all races. I see them all as brothers and sisters.”