The Untold

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The Untold: Predator Exposure

Predator Exposure

BBC Radio 4 - The Untold, Predator Exposure

A Leeds group tracking down online child predators is challenged by police: what happens?

The Leeds group of Predator Exposure feared their activities might be stopped dead when police questioning of their tactics led to them appearing in court, but this hasn't happened

In this edition of The Untold Rob Lawrie follows the Leeds based group of self-styled paedophile hunters from the court case and the Jury's not guilty verdict. The group, Predator Exposure, "overstepped the mark" according to prosecutors, when they confronted two men after they had taken part in online chats with group members posing as teenagers. Six of the group went on trial accused of charges including false imprisonment and common assault. They were all found not guilty and emerged from Leeds Crown Court vowing to step up the work that they do.

Rob Lawrie spends time with the leaders of Predator Exposure, Phil Hoban and his son, Jordan, who became committed to confronting so called child abusers after a mother called on them for help - her daughter had been approached online and she was worried about what was happening. Since then their activities have led to many arrests and successful prosecutions of those making contact with youngsters online and they have a huge social media following. Grace Dent, who oversees The Untold, introduces the programme and sets the scene as listeners follow a so called 'hunt.'

In this episode Rob Lawrie is alongside Phil and his team as they set a trap which a 24 year old man quickly falls into. He sends videos of himself masturbating to a Facebook account he thinks is held by a teenage girls. He wants to meet her, but unbeknown to him he's speaking to Jordan, who controls the false profile and does little to encourage the avalanche of sexual messages. The work is emotionally draining and Rob questions both the motives and the tactics being used as they close in on their suspect. As the case nears a conclusion listeners are drawn into this strange world and can form their own opinions about it.

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