A MAN from Wrexham arranged to meet up with a 14-year-old schoolgirl and said they could have sex if she wanted.

What he did not know that he was exchanging messages with a volunteer from the Keeping Kids Safe Online group.

However, Nathan Robert Charles, 30, was spared custody at Mold Crown Court after a judge heard Charles had learning and other difficulties.

Judge Niclas Parry told Charles, of Plas Isaf, Rhosymedre, that it was an extremely sad case.

He said that it was to the credit of the online activist that she had realised from his messages that Charles clearly had severe learning difficulties.

Rather than "send in the heavies" to his home with cameras to film him and then call the police, she sensitively took the view that it was a matter for the police straight away to limit the distress that would be caused to Charles.

Judge Parry told Charles: "You knew this was very, very wrong."

Thankfully there was no child who was harmed or caused upset.

The judge said he was extremely fortunate to have such a devoted mother who was saving the state significant sums of money because she chose to care for him herself.

Judge Parry said the court could protect the public and help rehabilitate him by placing him on a two year community order with 40 days rehabilitation.

Charles was ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for five years and a five year sexual harm prevention order was made under which he must produce his mobile phone to police on request.

Prosecutor Matthew Curtis said the volunteer set up a false online profile of a girl aged 14 and told Charles repeatedly during conversations that she was only 14.

He told her she looked nice in the profile photograph that had been used and asked to meet up.

Charles suggested they would kiss and he said they could have sex if she wanted.

The "girl" replied that she was only 14, had never kissed anyone and said her mum would go mad with her, she had never had sex and did not want a baby.

When a warrant was executed at his home last August he became agitated and upset.

Barrister Owen Edwards, defending, said his client, who admitted incitement at an early stage, had the mental age of a primary school boy although he was physically aged 30.

His mother cared for him and her other six children.

Mr Edwards said Charles had been terrified during each court appearance and at the prospect of prison.