A 54-year-old man from High Wycombe arrived at a railway station expecting to meet an underage girl for sex only to be confronted by paedophile hunters, a jury heard today (December 6).

Mark Porter, who lives near High Wycombe town centre, allegedly thought he would be seeing a 14-year-old virgin called Jenny, who he groomed over the Internet and in phone calls, and invited to his flat.

A jury at Luton crown court was told he was caught in a sting set up by Neil and Katie Ivall at Luton Rail Station in March.

Prosecutor, Will Noble, told the court the couple, from Dunstable, launched a non-profit organisation called 'Chris Fear' after a relative was groomed over the Internet by a paedophile.

He said Mrs Ivall had been contacted by a man who claimed his 11-year-old daughter had been contacted by Mr Porter, from High Wycombe, over the Internet.

As a result, she set up a fake Facebook account using the name Jenny Johnson and posted pictures, saying she was 14 years old.

Mr Noble said: "The Ivalls found the defendant's details on Facebook and, posing as Jenny, clicked 'Like' on one of the defendant's photographs and waited to see what would happen."

The prosecutor said that was on 22 January this year and there followed a series of online conversations, all of which were recorded.

He added: "The defendant repeatedly sends flattering messages complimenting Jenny, offering to take her to Thorpe Park and promising her gifts and treats. He asks for pictures of Jenny as the conversations become more sexual.”

Porter allegedly wrote: "Can you send me a picture of your body, not a bad one, just so I know it's really you babe?"

Katie replied as Jenny saying: "People may call you a paedo, lol."

She went on to ask: "Do you really wanna make love to me?"

He allegedly replied: "Yes in time if you do hun."

She said: "I'm so happy you don't care I'm 14, that's so cool."

A total of three secretly recorded phone conversations took place, and Mr Noble said the defendant tried to persuade Jenny to come to his flat, said if Jenny’s mother found out she would hit the roof, saying "I would be registered as a f****** paedo."

Mr Noble said that they arranged to meet at 8pm on Friday March 25 outside Luton rail station, saying: "Little did he know it was a set up.

“Mr and Mrs Ivall were laying in wait for Mr Porter at Luton train station and, with the help of others, they detained Mr Porter and called the police."

He said the defendant tried to drive away, but his path was blocked. While they waited for the police he was seen "desperately" deleting pictures and online conversations from his mobile.

When he was arrested, Mr Porter told officers: "Before we start, I had no intention of having sex with an underage girl." He then made no comment to police questions.

Under cross examination by Richard Hutchings today/Tuesday, Katie Ivall agreed that 'Chris Fear' had been featured in a Channel 4 documentary, on the BBC, ITV and in the Sun. He said to her: "You have a bait phone - you are going after prey."

She agreed she was 'hammering away' by repeatedly telling the defendant she was 14, but said: "I am giving them a way out."

Mark Porter, now 55, of High Wycombe denies attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming.

The case continues.