A man who was confronted by a group of vigilantes at Hove Station is to face court on charges of child grooming.
Sussex Police said today (Thursday 5 January): “Christopher Hartfield, unemployed, 41, of Hamsey Road, Sharpthorne, East Sussex, has been charged with attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming and with attempting to incite a girl aged between 13 and 15 to engage in sexual activity.
“Both offences are alleged to have taken place in Hove.
“He is due to appear on bail at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on (Thursday) 26 January.
“The charges, authorised by the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service), follow an investigation by detectives from the Brighton Safeguarding Investigation Unit.”
At the time of his arrest Sussex Police said: “We do not encourage members of the public to carry out investigations themselves, especially in such a sensitive type of case.
“They could jeopardise evidence, hinder chances of prosecution or risk harm to themselves.
“Such matters should be reported to the police at the outset.”
