Wiltshire 999s
  • Wiltshire news
    • Incidents
    • Courts
  • West Country news
  • News near you
    • Swindon
    • Chippenham
    • Trowbridge
    • Salisbury
    • Find your area >
  • Support
    • Mental health helplines
    • Domestic abuse helplines
  • More
    • Community
No Result
View All Result
Wiltshire 999s
No Result
View All Result
Home Wiltshire news

Man pleads guilty to child sex offences after paedophile hunter sting

byDaniel Jae Webb
21 July 2017 | 4.09pm
Share on FacebookPost on XSend via WhatsApp

A Swindon man who was caught by a paedophile hunter after arranging to meet a child for sex has today pleaded guilty to the offences.

Mark Lee Smith, a father-of-one, was arrested by Danny Catcher who hunts predators online, on Regent Street in Swindon town centre on 22 June.

Wiltshire Police were called to the scene, where they were shown evidence of Smith grooming a 14-year-old child through apps on his mobile phone.

The conversation started on the dating app Skout, where the paedophile hunter who was posing as the child made him aware of her age – on many occasions.

Some of the key chat logs from the decoy’s conversation with Smith

The conversation moved on to Kik, a messaging app, where the meet was arranged.

Some of the key chat logs from the decoy’s conversation with Smith

The disturbing chat logs show his intent to meet the 14-year-old and have sexual intercourse with her – even suggesting it’s better without a condom.

At Swindon Crown Court, Smith pleaded guilty to ‘attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual conduct’ and ‘attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming’ and is due to be sentenced on 18 August 2017.

You can like Danny Catcher on Facebook, or follow @DannyCatcher on Twitter.

Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel and get breaking news sent directly to your mobile – don’t forget to turn on notifications by clicking the bell icon.

Click a topic to read more stories like this:

Tags: Sex crimesSwindon town centreWiltshire Police

TOP STORIES

  • All
  • Wiltshire news
  • Wiltshire courts
‘Do not approach’ Swindon assault suspect wanted by police
Wiltshire news

‘Do not approach’ Swindon assault suspect wanted by police

byDaniel Jae Webb
19 May 2025 | 9.52am
0

...

Read moreDetails
Motorcyclist who died in A350 crash was aged 19, police reveal

Motorcyclist who died in A350 crash was aged 19, police reveal

20 May 2025 | 11.29am
Wiltshire M4 junction cordoned off after car flips in dramatic crash

Wiltshire M4 junction cordoned off after car flips in dramatic crash

20 May 2025 | 8.29am
Crash outside Melksham BP garage causes major delays on A350

Crash outside Melksham BP garage causes major delays on A350

15 May 2025 | 12.45pm

Police arrest Chippenham man for ‘stalking and death threats’

19 May 2025 | 6.49pm
  • About us
  • Complaints
  • Contact us
  • Contributor terms
  • Privacy policy
Reporting reality.

All content © State Six News Limited, unless otherwise stated. All rights reserved. | Wiltshire 999s is a trading style of State Six News Limited. Company number: 16190242. | Registered company address: Suite A, 82 James Carter Road, Mildenhall, Suffolk, IP28 7DE.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • 999 News
  • Court News
  • West Country news
  • News near you
    • Swindon
    • Chippenham
    • Trowbridge
    • Find your area
  • Info & Help
    • Wiltshire Flood Warnings
    • Domestic abuse helplines
    • Mental health helplines
    • Court reporting
  • About & Contact
    • About us
    • Contact us
    • WhatsApp alerts
    • Contributor terms
    • Complaints
A TIP-OFF