Wormegay paedophile Kevan Reddington sent explicit images and messages to what he thought was 13-year-old girl

A vigilante group caught a 63-year-old paedophile who believed he was communicating sexually with a 13-year-old girl.

Kevan Reddington, of Hill Estate in Wormegay, connected with what he thought was a teenage girl on a social media platform before sending messages to her on WhatsApp.

From April 23, 2021 to November 5, 2022, Reddington sent sexual messages to the profile - as well as naked images and a video of himself masturbating.

The profile Reddington was communicating with stated the girl’s age. Throughout his conversations, Reddington referred to her young age.

Reddington appeared at Lynn Magistrates’ Court on Thursday to be sentenced, but magistrates decided their powers were insufficient. His case has therefore been sent to the crown court.

During a previous hearing, Reddington, who lives with his elderly mother, admitted attempting to communicate sexually with a child, as well as causing a child to watch a video of sexual activity.

Crown prosecutor Jessica Neequaye told the court that conversations between the profile and Reddington first started with him describing his underwear and saying he was going to have a shower.

Reddington then asked the girl for sexual pictures and asked her about school.

He told the profile that he was “not a dodgy man” or a “pervert”, but then described sexual acts to her.

Reddington said that “men would want sex from her one day” and that she was “too innocent”.

Conversations escalated even further when Reddington sent the profile an edited picture of his chest before asking if the girl had a boyfriend.

He asked if the girl had seen a penis, but told her not to tell anybody about him because “we both might get into trouble”.

Later, Reddington sent a selfie to the profile and said, “Sending you a kiss”.

He then told the girl that he was wearing “tartan boxers” and “likes to sleep naked”, before asking what colour her underwear was.

Reddington later claimed he had a “sore penis” and had to rub cream on it. He asked if she wanted to see his penis and that he could “rub it to make it big for her”.

He then began sending numerous images of his penis and a video of himself masturbating. Police confirmed it was Reddington in the video due to his unique tattoo and rings.

The profile was run by an online paedophile hunting group, who obtained Reddington’s address and turned up at his house on November 5, 2022.

The police arrived to arrest Reddington and found the messages on his tablet.

“The defendant tried to conceal this evidence,” Ms Neequaye told the court.

In mitigation, Alison Muir said that Reddington lives with his elderly mother, who was once chair of Wormegay Parish Council.

Ms Muir said: “While it doesn’t diminish the offence, no child was harmed. A child didn’t get to see what was sent.

“2021 and 2022 was some time ago. This has been hanging over his head for some time.

“This has been a stark warning to him. He had to face the humiliation of telling his family what happened. He still has the support of his mother.”

The solicitor told the court that Reddington once worked for British Sugar.

“They probably wouldn’t want him back again. He is hoping to find future work,” said Ms Muir.

Magistrates decided their sentencing powers were insufficient to punish Reddington.

He will therefore appear at Norwich Crown Court on May 5 to learn his fate, and has been released on unconditional bail.