Former cricketer sentenced after exposed by paedo-hunters

    A former county cricketer has been jailed after being exposed by a sting set up by paedophile hunters.

    Richard Sladdin, 48-years-old and from Hebden Bridge, was sentenced to one year in prison at Bolton Crown Court.

    Self-proclaimed paedophile hunters lured Sladdin to a car park in Leigh, after chatting to him online whilst pretending to be a 14-year-old girl.

    The incident was filmed which then led to his arrest.

    An NSPCC spokesman said: "Sladdin set out to groom and meet a vulnerable young girl, knowing full well she was under the age of 16. While his intended victim was fictitious, his behaviour highlights the dangers posed to youngsters by offenders online. This kind of predatory activity can ruin childhoods, with the devastating effects often lasting long into adulthood.”

    More from Local and National News

    Listener Club

    Get more with the Listener Club!

    • Bhangra Nights Bhangra Nights

      Get over the Weekday blues - Every Tuesday night is party night with the best Bhangra and Urban Asian Beats. The Bhangra Show every Tuesday between 8pm-11pm

    • Legal Show Legal Show

      Once a fortnight we dedicate a show to discussing legal issues and family / matrimonial law in particular. Alternate Friday mornings between 9am-11pm.

    • Remix Saturdays Remix Saturdays

      Every Saturday evening we turn to remixes of hit songs to get you in the Saturday night party mood! Every Saturday between 5pm - 8pm

    • The Golden Era The Golden Era

      The golden era of Bollywood celebrated in this weekly show full of classics taking you back in time. Every Sunday between 5pm - 7pm