Sports Direct manager caught by 'paedophile hunters' after trying to lure '13-year-old' for sex

A respected Sports Direct manager was confronted by Facebook vigilantes and arrested by police after attempting to lure a "13-year-old schoolgirl" to his home for sex.

Daniel Pickering, 33, a father-of-one, reportedly spent a month sending Facebook messages to a profile he believed belonged to a Liverpool schoolgirl named Amber, The Mirror reported.

Pickering, from Oldham, told "Amber" his real name, exchanged explicit messages and also sent footage of himself performing a sex act.

He reportedly tried to lure her into sex by offering her cocaine and alcohol if she met him in person.

What Pickering did not know is that he was being lured by a group of so-called paedophile hunters himself. The group, who goes by the Facebook name "Keeping Kids Safe," set up the fake profile.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Pickering has been jailed at a sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court. The court heard from Claire Brocklebank, prosecuting, how Pickering asked whether "Amber" was single and suggested she "find someone experienced to be with".

Pickering invited her to his home and claimed he had cocaine and alcohol.

After arranging a meeting in Manchester at a Lidl car park, Pickering was met by a group of six members from the vigilante group, the Mirror reported. The group performed a citizens' arrest and held Pickering before police arrived.

Pickering initially told police that he had no intention to meet with the girl but instead had tried to stop her from coming. He later pleaded guilty to six offences and subsequently was jailed for 27 months.

He admitted to attempting to meet a child after grooming, attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act and attempting to engage a child in sexual contact. Pickering also admitted to having cocaine and marijuana after police found bags of the drugs at his home.

Pickering's defence Andrea Lock said the father-of-one began taking cocaine recreationally during a low point in his relationship with his partner. Lock said Pickering is genuinely remorseful, adding that it has had a "very, very significant impact on him".

Pickering must sign the sex offenders' register for 10 years.