Smiling pervert walks free from court despite arranging to meet '13-year-old girl' he groomed on the internet.
Callum Jennings is now a registered sex offender after being confronted by vigilante group, Dark Justice, who posed at a schoolgirl.
The 22-year-old sent sexually explicit messages and images then arranged to meet up - but was instead faced with paedophile hunters.
In the footage, which led to his arrest, Jennings is asked him what his intentions are but he repeatedly says he was just meeting the girl as 'friends'. not for anything more.
Jennings of Pine Street was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court where it was heard he had been duped by the organisation set up to track down men who want sex with young girls
During the conversations the 22-year-old sent a picture of his penis, a video of himself performing a sex act and engaged in graphic sexual chat.
Jennings arranged to meet up with the girl in Newcastle on April 18, when he was apprehended by the group.
Prosecutor Sue Hirst told the court: "Members of Dark Justice went to the meeting point and saw the defendant.
"They spoke to him and asked him if he considered meeting a 13-year-old and sending the messages he had sent her to be acceptable.
"He stated they were meeting as friends."
Jennings told police he had been "stupid".
He pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following grooming and attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act.
Mr Recorder Toby Hedworth QC sentenced Jennings to 16 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with rehabilitation requirements.
He must abide by a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and sign the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.
The judge said it was unclear whether Jennings intended to have full sex with the girl.
He told Jennings: "You were informed almost immediately that she was only 13. Notwithstanding that, you maintained your interest.
"I find your interest in her, where perhaps was initially wanting company, your interest became sexual almost immediately.
"Because of the good offices of Dark Justice fortunately there never was a real child. This you didn't know, it was a virtual relationship you were engaging in."
The judge said Dark Justice carry out "important work" and was convinced Jennings has learned a " salutory" lesson.
He said he was convinced Jennings, who has never been in trouble before, would not be back in court again.
Brian Hegarty, defending, said Jennings had stated during the messages that he couldn't have sex with the girl because of her age and had asked if she had a spare room when they discussed him going to her home.
Mr Hegarty said Jennings had said he was unsure about the meeting and added: "He had grave reservations about what he was doing. He knew he was behaving very foolishly.
The court heard Jennings, who is "crestfallen", is sorry for his behaviour and stands to lose a lot.