A HEREFORD man was caught out in a paedophile hunter sting when he sent sexual messages on Facebook.

Nicholas Gwilliam admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

The 55-year-old had been caught out in a paedophile hunting group sting after contacting a woman who was posing as a 14-year-old on Facebook, prosecutor Melanie Winterflood said.

He was told that he was talking to a 14-year-old, but carried on sending messages of a sexual nature.

"I will not outline the whole dialogue, but he asked her age and she said 14," Miss Winterflood said.

"He said she looked more like 19, but was clearly told she was 14. He asked her if she liked tattoos and sent her some pictures of tattoos, and then talk followed about masturbation, if she had pubic hair, and her breast size."

The conversation was reported to police and Gwilliam was arrested.

"He at first suggests that he might have been hacked, but then suggests that he might have sent those messages while under the influence of alcohol," Miss Winterflood said.

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Chris Read, for Gwilliam, said he is a man of good character and that he would ask for a pre-sentencing report to be carried out by probation.

The case was adjourned for the report and Gwilliam, of Holm Oak Road, Belmont, will appear before Hereford magistrates for sentencing on June 1.