Newcastle man arranged to pay a child for sexual activity in a South Shields park
A man who arranged to meet a child near a seaside park so he could pay him for sexual activity was caught in a police sting.
Faiz Mohammed thought he was making the illegal arrangement with a 14-year-old boy but had been duped by an undercover officer, who was behind the fake online account.
Newcastle Crown Court heard when he arrived at the meeting point in South Shields, South Tyneside, the police were waiting and arrested him.
Prosecutor Neil Pallister said the initial online chat took place over a dating site in October 2024 and added: "The defending instigated the conversation, stating 'I will pay for fun'."
When asked how much he would pay, Mohammed offered £100 and the conversation then moved to Snapchat, where he was told he was talking to a 14-year-old.
Mr Pallister said the conversation continued but them Mohammed removed the friendship link and the chats ended.
But Mohammed soon got back in touch again and they arranged to meet near the Harbour Lights pub in South Shields and he said he would "pay cash".
The court heard on the day of the arrangement Mohammed sent messages that he was "going to leave now", was "on his way" and then asking "where are you?"
Mr Pallister said: "(The officer) messaged 'I'm coming into the park'.
"The defendant asked how long and he couldn't be bothered to waiting around for ages.
"The defendant entered the park and was cautioned and arrested on suspicion of arranging the commission of a child sex offence."
Mohammed told officers "I wasn't going to meet anyone, I thought it was a set up."
The 35-year-old, of Collier Gardens, Newcastle, admitted arranging the commission of a child sex offence and possessing two extreme pornography images.
Christopher Knox, defending, said Mohammed is bipolar and at the time of the offences he was ill, "in the grip of an episode" and had stopped taking medication.
Mr Knox said Mohammed has since started therapy, is "accepting and embracing" treatment and has character references.
Judge Carolyn Scott sentenced him to two years, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements and £1,000 costs.
Mohammed has to sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.
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