A PERVERT snared by a paedophile hunter group has been revealed as a Scouts Association volunteer.

Clinton Vlahos, from Newport, has been suspended by the popular children and youth organisation and told he will never be able to work for them again.

The 25-year-old, of Bishton Road, appeared before Cardiff Crown Court last month to plead guilty to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a child.

He had been caught by Cwmbran-based paedophile hunter organisation P H Balance who had posed as an underage girl that Vlahos was led to believe he was in contact with.

The Scout Association said it was aware of the recent court proceedings involving Vlahos and had been “co-operating fully with the statutory agencies during their investigations”.

A spokesman added: “As soon as we were made aware of the investigation, Vlahos was suspended from all involvement in the Scout movement.

“There is no evidence to suggest that offences have taken place within the Scout movement.

“Following his conviction, we can confirm Vlahos will never be allowed to volunteer with us again.

“The Scout Association carries out stringent vetting of all adults who work with young people and requires them to work to a strict code of practice outlined in the “Young People First” Code of Practice. See http://www.scouts.org.uk/safeguarding.”

After Vlahos pleaded guilty to the offences, the Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Eleri Rees, adjourned the case until the end of this month so that both a psychiatric and a pre-sentence report by the Probation Service could be carried out.

The defendant had previously been on unconditional bail but as a result of his conviction, this was changed to conditional bail.

The judge said Vlahos is now prohibited from contacting any child under the age of 16.

He must now also register as a sex offender and he was told he has to fully cooperate with the Probation Service and has to live at the address given to the court.

The prosecutor in the hearing was Heath Edwards. The full details of the case were not revealed in open court.

Judge Rees set the sentence date for Tuesday, July 31.

The Scouts are the UK's biggest mixed youth organisation, offering six to 25-year-olds a number of varied activities like kayaking, abseiling, expeditions overseas, photography and climbing.