THEY are driven to act by a burning sense of outrage - and by their determination to protect children who are at risk.

As Michael Chapman and Justin Bell admitted their guilt at Carlisle’s Rickergate court, Sam Miller, 25, sat in the public gallery, watching the results of his work.

A self-employed energy consultant, from Newcastle, Sam has been involved in about 100 online stings with his group, the Child Online Safety Team. Bell was brought to justice by a similar group - Secret Whispers.

Both do their utmost to gather vital evidence to help police investigations and - as in Carlisle yesterday - produce successful prosecutions. Not everybody likes their blunt style - confronting offenders on their doorstop and then posting this online.

But Sam has no qualms.

“We do it to protect children across the UK,” he said.

“I’ve seen the consequences: the daughter of one of my friends was groomed online. It can lead to all kinds of problems: to children using drink and drugs; to suicide. It shatters their trust in people. Children lose their innocence.”

Sam did not hesitate to confront Chapman.

“His initial reaction was a total denial, so I told him to cut out the nonsense because we knew exactly what he’d done and had the evidence. This sends a clear message out to such people, showing they will be caught.

“Cumbria Police have given us a fantastic response.”

Justin Bell’s neighbours have been horrified by the crimes he has now admitted.

Susan and Craig Winter, of Deepdale Drive, Morton, said they had long harboured suspicions about Bell, whose nickname locally was “The Peeper” because of his habit of watching from his window when people were around.

“He was strange and secretive,” said Craig, 44. “His conversation was always very sexual.”

Susan, 43, added: “We’ve always commented on how inappropriate his behaviour could be. We’re not surprised.

“I think the people who have exposed what he was doing are heroes. Without these people, more people would get away with it.”