South Shields takeaway worker snared after sending sexual messages to teenage girl

Father-of-five Shahid Hussain started talking to a teen's profile over social media site Nearby in January 2019 and took her phone number so they could continue the chat on Whatsapp.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 50-year-old, who claimed he was just 32, called the girl "baby" and "sweetie" and repeatedly offered to meet her so they could "kiss", even after being told she was just 13.

Hussain, of Brunswick Street, South Shields, said he would visit the child's house "when her mother wasn't in".

Prosecutor Alec Burns told the court: "On July 30 he sent her a photograph of a half naked man and woman.

"On September 30 he sent messages asking if she would like him to send her some fancy or sexy pictures. She said 'ok'.

"He sent her photographs of females and couples, of a sexual nature. He asked her to send photographs but she said she didn't have anything like that.”

On September 21 he sent two videos of adult couples engaging in sexual activity.

The court also heard that on September 25, he sent a video of himself performing a sex act and on October 7 he sent a photograph of his face.

Mr Burns said Guardians of the North drafted in help from fellow paedophile hunters Dark Justice and they identified the takeaway where Hussain worked in South Shields. He was subsequently arrested by police.

Hussain pleaded guilty to attempting to cause a child to watch sexual activity, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and arranging the commission of a child sexual offence.

Judge Robert Spragg sentenced Hussain to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements and 150 hours unpaid work.

Hussain must sign the sex offenders register and abide by a sexual harm prevention order for ten years.

The judge said Hussain told the probation service his behaviour was "madness" and added: "You said you had never had any intention to actually meet the child."

Vic Laffey, defending, said Hussain has no previous convictions and there has been no further offending.

Mr Laffey said Hussain is a "family man" who is a carer for his wife, who is in poor health and added: "He has expressed thorough and deep shame and remorse."

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