A SEX offender was snared by 'paedophile hunters' after he tried to meet a girl of 15 'in her school uniform'.

Joshua Arden, who has learning disabilities, arranged to meet 'the girl' in a hotel for sex, discussing a threesome and even suggested they have a child together.

The 22-year-old walked free at Worcester Crown Court today (Tuesday) after his 'particular vulnerabilities' were laid bare - although he will be placed on a curfew and his behaviour restricted by a sexual harm prevention order.

Arden admitted attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming. The charges were 'attempts' because Arden was not communicating with a real child but a decoy set up by what prosecutor Andrew Jackson called 'a vigilante group', named as Predator Awareness UK.

"Their preoccupation seems to be hunting paedophiles" said Mr Jackson.

Communication began after a fake account on a flirting, chatting and dating app was set up on December 25, 2019.

The following day Arden, using the name 'Joshua21', made contact with the decoy between 3.30am and 3.35am. The age of 'the girl' was made clear to him and the communication continued on WhatsApp.

Mr Jackson said: "The correspondence became increasingly explicit. It was clear, on Mr Arden's part, there was a desire to have penetrative sexual intercourse. There was talk of a threesome."

Arden also made reference to her wearing her school uniform. He arranged to meet the 'girl' at Evesham Railway Station and go on to a nearby Premier Inn 'for the express purpose of having sexual intercourse'. When he arrived there, however, he was challenged by a member of the group.

Police were also present and Arden was arrested.

Richard Hull, defending, said Arden had 'significant deficits in terms of his cognitive ability and educational background'. "He is somebody who could be considered to be vulnerable" said Mr Hull.

The solicitor, who referred to a psychological report prepared on behalf of Arden, described his client as having 'significant immaturity and to say he has a thinking deficit is an understatement'.

He added: "She (the psychologist) feels he would be extremely vulnerable in a prison or custodial setting."

Mr Hull argued there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in the case and there was no indication of non-compliance, telling the court Arden met the criteria for a suspended sentence.

Arden had asked 'the girl' to notify her parents that he was her boyfriend. "The defendant suggested they could consider conceiving a child together" said Mr Hull.

Recorder Martin Butterworth said the defendant's real age did not match his chronological age and that his maturity was at the level of someone in their early or mid teens. His educational level had been identified as 'below that of a 10-year-old'.

He added: "What was driving you was loneliness, the complete absence of any relationship with any member of the opposite sex or any friendship group. Repeatedly, in those exchanges, you showed that you wanted this person to be your friend."

Recorder Butterworth sentenced Arden of Avon Street, Evesham, to a two year community order to include a six month electronically monitored curfew between 6pm and 7am.

A five year sexual harm prevention order was also made to give offender managers more powers to monitor and control his behaviour online. As a sex offender notification requirements also apply.

A £90 victim surcharge was also applied.