Online paedophile hunters helped expose Sutton Bridge man who asked ‘decoy’ underage girl for sex and topless photos

An online paedophile hunters group tipped off police about a 21-year-old Sutton Bridge man.

Tyler Roberts thought he was continually engaging with a 14-year-old girl he had contacted on Facebook.

He asked ‘her’ to meet him for sex and requested topless photos.

In fact, “Grace Ryder” was a decoy profile placed on the social media platform to attract paedophiles, Boston Magistrates’ Court heard on Wednesday.

Roberts, who was described as severely autistic, pleaded guilty to inciting a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity on January 24, 2022, and sexual communication with a child between January 23 and January 26, 2022.

The court was told the charges were valid even though there was not a human victim.

Roberts also admitted to making three indecent images of children of Category B (the second most serious) on May 7, 2021, and four images of Category C (the least serious) on April 30, 2021.

Prosecutor Kate Minihane said when Roberts first made contact with “Grace” he quickly established that she was 14 and confirmed he was 19.

“He asked to see what she looked like in bra and knickers and later asked if she wanted to have sex with him,” said Miss Minihane.

The following day Roberts’ first three messages asked if “Grace” was naked.

He sent a photo of himself and disclosed information about where he lived and worked.

“He asked her for sex in the toilet,” said Miss Minihane. “She said ‘why in the toilet?’ and he replied ‘no one would see them.’

“These matters were reported to police and Tyler Roberts was interviewed.

“He admitted to messaging the decoy. He said he wanted to meet up with her and have sex with her and was fully aware that was wrong.”

The prosecutor said Roberts was severely autistic and had not attended mainstream education.

He had no previous convictions but received a caution in June 2021 for similar communication offences.

The case was adjourned to August 30 for preparation of pre-sentence and psychiatric reports.

Roberts was granted unconditional bail and ordered to attend a police station to sign the sex offenders’ register.