A MAN has been jailed for more than two years after being snared by a group of ‘paedophile hunters’.

Christopher Lane, of Highmead, Pontllanfraith, was snared after contacting two separate accounts on the dating app Qeep with girls he believed to be 13 and 14.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that on May 29, the 24-year-old had contacted “Sophie” within minutes of the account being set up by a member of a paedophile hunting group.

Despite being told the fictional girl was 14, Lane engaged in a conversation in which he suggested she visit his home and asked her to be his girlfriend.

Andrew Davies, prosecuting, said the conversation led to Lane sending an indecent image of himself to Sophie.

He said: “[Lane] asked if he could take her virginity. He said he was counting down the hours until they met and he was really excited.”

In a chat on May 31, Sophie reminded Lane of her age and asked him about the possibility of her falling pregnant.

“[Lane] said that she couldn’t because she hadn’t started puberty and that she wouldn’t get pregnant for another two years yet,” said Mr Davies.

In a later conversation on June 1, Lane had agreed to meet Sophie at Blackwood bus station, with CCTV images showing him in the area on the afternoon of June 4.

On the same day Lane had also contacted a new profile on Qeep, 13-year-old Emma, and continued a conversation with her despite the age “being clearly stated”.

On the morning of June 5, a member of paedophile hunting group Creep Catchers UK was notified about the exchanges and he confronted Lane at his home address, where he was later arrested by police.

Mr Davies said: “In interview he accepted that his behaviour was disgraceful.”

Steve Thomas, defending,said: “[Lane] thought the girls were about 18 but he fully accepts that in a short while he was of aware of the age. He has lost his family as a consequence. His motivation reflects a lack of maturity.”

Lane had previously pleaded guilty to one charge of attempting to meet an underage child following sexual grooming and three charges of communicating with an underage child to obtain sexual gratification.

According to the CPS the profiles were set up by paedophile hunting group Creep Hunters UK and a member of a different group Creep Catchers UK went to confront Lane.

Gwent Police detective superintendent Leanne Brustad said after the sentencing: “Revealing the identity of suspected paedophiles gives the suspect the opportunity to destroy evidence before the police can investigate them.

“Vigilante groups also risk committing offences themselves whilst dealing with these suspected paedophiles.”