A PAEDOPHILE hunter tricked a Llandysul man into thinking he was swapping messages with a 13-year-old girl, a judge heard yesterday (Monday, October 14).

Lee Graham Haynes, aged 54, offered to take "her" to bed and show her how babies were made.

Haynes, of Glascoed, admitted attempting to engage a child in sexual conversations.

He also admitted possessing indecent images of children, 36 of them in the most serious category A.

Craig Jones, prosecuting, told Swansea crown court how Adrian Lett set up a Facebook page that appeared to be that of a young girl called Marie Johnson.

Haynes befriended her and over a three-day period sent her numerous messages of a sexual nature despite being told of her age.

But, added Mr Jones, Haynes appeared to realise what was happening because his final message read: "I know you are a fake."

Haynes' barrister, Sophie Hill, said he had difficulty explaining his offending but had not intended to try to meet the girl.

Judge Geraint Walters said Haynes' offending took place in July, 2017, and he had made full admissions on his arrest.

"He could have been sentenced two years ago," he said.

Judge Walters said the crown court was having to deal with more and more Dyfed Powys cases that took far too long to get to court.

When he asked senior police officers to explain the delays he was met by attempts "to excuse the inexcusable."

Haynes was made the subject of a three-year community order and told to complete 20 days of a rehabilitation activity and a sexual offenders' programme.

He must also complete 180 hours of unpaid work and be under a sexual harm prevention order restricting his access to children.