A pervert has avoided jail after being snared by a group of child sex vigilantes.

Paul Bryant, 40, was arrested by police officers after a two-day operation by the group Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Interceptors.

The court heard the group set up a decoy account for a 15-year-old boy on the dating app Grindr and was contacted by Bryant.

Prosecuting, Sam Lowther said: “The defendant sent a picture of an erect penis. He then said ‘how old are you? It’s cool if you’re young’.”

The decoy told Bryant, who also asked him if he was home alone at any point that day, that he was 15-years-old.

Bryant, who worked as a care manager, was told the decoy’s mother went to work from 11am to 3pm at which point the police were contacted about a potential meet and sent his details.

The decoy was asked if he would send pictures of himself to Bryant and he sent a stock image of a 15-year-old boy.

Bryant said: "Cute. So no picture of you in your underwear then?"

While arranging the meet, the court heard Bryant of Dewsgreen, Basildon, asked the decoy questions including “what do you want to do?” and “do you like role play?”.

He also said age was just a number to him but that they would have to "be careful".

The conversation also included explicit references by Bryant to sex acts before telling the decoy he lived in Basildon where he was welcome to come if he wanted.

The pair eventually arranged to meet in Little Hadham, in Hertfordshire on June 14 and the police were notified.

Before arriving, Bryant asked: “Are you going to get in my car and drop your trousers?”

Waiting for him at the meeting point was an unmarked police car and Bryant was arrested.

He made full admissions in interview and pleaded guilty to one count of grooming a boy under 16.

In mitigation Denise Cole said: “He is a man who has made one big mistake. He has lost his job and his good name. He is going to have to rebuild his career.

“He regrets his actions and his life has now been turned upside down.”

Sentencing him, Judge David Owen-Jones said: “What you did was extremely silly and dangerous.

"You are here because you were seeking to entice a boy of 15 to engage in sexual activity.

“What you have done is going to be something you will have to live with for the rest of your life.”

Bryant burst into tears in the dock as he was handed a 15-month prison sentence suspended for two years.

He must sign the sex offenders’ register for five years and was made subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

He must also complete 40 days of rehabilitation and take part in the Horizon sex offenders programme.