WATCH: Pervert, 56, Who Tried To Meet Underage Girl Confronted By 'Paedophile Hunter' At Station

A 56-year-old man heading to meet a schoolgirl for sex has been jailed for four years after being caught out by a ‘paedophile hunter’.

Jeffrey Lewis arrived at London Bridge station expecting to meet a 15-year-old virgin - but was instead greeted by Shane Brannigan, who heckled him with loud cries of “dirty paedophile” and “vermin” while a friend caught their confrontation them on camera.

The shouting attracted the attention of nearby police officers, who promptly arrested Lewis. Brannigan then posted the March 28 footage on his Facebook page, which shows onlookers looking on in shock as Lewis attempts to flee.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Brannigan had sent Lewis a friend request on Facebook with a photo showing a naked female from behind.

Following an online conversation, Lewis then arranged to travel to London from his home in Kent.

Prosecutor Stephen Shay said: “He duly did attend that day and was confronted by Mr Brannigan and a friend who was filming the encounter.

"Mr Brannigan very loudly accused him of being a paedophile.

"He wanted to draw attention to the defendant so that the police nearby would act. The police arrested him.”

Lewis, of Swanscombe, Kent, admitted arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence and was given an extended sentence for public protection.

Alexia Zimbler, defending, said Lewis was flattered by the attention and did not listen to the alarm bells that should have been ringing.

Judge Michael Carroll said: “The alarm bells must have been absolutely deafening and he still managed to shut them out.”

Miss Zimbler said Lewis honestly believed the girl wanted him to take matters further.

The judge said Lewis took a bottle of whiskey to the meeting because he thought it would “facilitate sexual intercourse.”

He said: “He could have taken a box of chocolates. It was part of his intention for the full offence to be committed.

"I am not familiar with that brand so I don’t know what is expensive. He wasted a lot of money in that case.”

He told Lewis: “The actual offence intended by you I am absolutely sure was for full sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old virgin who had requested you to bring along a bottle of bourbon.

"Your determination and conduct which led to your being arrested shows you pose a significant risk of serious harm to underage females.”

Lewis will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults and his name will appear on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

He will have to serve two thirds of his sentence before being considered for release by the parole board and he will be on licence for a further five years.

(Credit: SWNS)