Leeds paedophile who targeted online teen told to 'come to terms' with sexual interest in children
A paedophile has been told he “must come to terms” with his sexual interest in children after being stung by an online hunter group.
Pervert Terry Henshaw was confronted by Predator Exposure, who lure sex offenders over social media, after he sent explicit messages and photos to what he thought was an underage girl.
The 46-year-old admitted a charge of attempted sexual communication with a child after appearing at Leeds Crown Court.
Henshaw latched onto the profile on Facebook in November of last year, telling the supposed 14-year-old girl that he was 35. He was in fact 45 at the time.
Despite acknowledging her age, he continued to message her and boasted about being a DJ and the cost of his music equipment.
He invited her to his home to watch a movie, saying he would buy her sweets and popcorn. He asked to sleep in the same bed and said he “wanted to look at her all night”.
Henshaw suggested she put her hand in boxer shorts. He also sent her a photograph of his genitals, before asking her for photos of her in her school uniform and in her underwear.
On November 14 last year members of Predator Exposure confronted Henshaw and he was arrested a short time later.
During his police interview he gave a prepared statement, claiming that he knew it was an adult and not a child.
Henshaw, of Lyndon Avenue, Garforth, has no previous convictions.
Mitigating on his behalf, Craig Sutcliffe said Henshaw was “extremely remorseful” and had shown a “willingness to work with probation”.
Judge Andrew Stubbs KC told Henshaw: “You were thinking you were talking with a 14-year-old girl. You have to come to terms with your sexual interest in underage children.”
He gave him a 10-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, ordered to complete 10 rehabilitation days with probation and the 26-session Building Choices programme.
He was put on the sex offender register for 10 years and given a 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) to allow his internet use to be monitored.