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National
David Huntley

Durham pervert jailed after believing he was going to meet 15-year-old prostitute for sex

A pervert has been jailed after turning up to meet what he believed was going to be a 15-year-old prostitute for sex.

Joseph Smith responded to an online advertisement which stated there was an 18-year-old woman selling sexual services in his area. When the 37-year-old called the number provided, he was told that the girl selling sex was in fact only 15-years-old. But he still decided to go and meet the teen in an area of Durham. However, what Smith didn't know, was that the advertisement was false, and had been set up by undercover police.

Smith, of Bracken Field Road, Durham, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Thursday, via link from HMP Durham, to be sentenced for attempting to arrange or facilitate a child sexual offence. He pleaded guilty to the charge at a previous hearing.

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