A pervert was confronted at his home by a vigilante paedophile group after he was duped into believing he was in contact with a 13-year-old girl, a court heard.

Paul Flack stood shamefaced on his doorstep in Sheerness wearing just his pyjama bottoms as members of Capital Online Child Protection quizzed him about sending an obscene video clip of himself, along with vile messages.

The tattooed father-of-seven had arranged to meet the girl at Sheerness train station in October last year, but did not go. A message was sent to him saying she was scared.

During the filmed confrontation by a man and a woman at his home in Richmond Street he apologised and declared he was ashamed of himself.

In the video posted on Facebook, he said: “I didn’t meet her. I know I am wrong. I have had so much going on. It’s just a stupid thing I did.

“I should have left it and told her ‘I am going, you are too young’.”

Flack, who calls himself “Rudeboyz” on his Facebook page, denied he had been talking to other children, but was told there were four other “decoys” he had contacted.

The 41-year-old admitted attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and was jailed for nine months when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court this week.

Ben Irwin, defending, said Flack sent appalling messages and video clips of him performing a sex act on himself.

“He accepted his misconduct from the outset,” said Mr Irwin. “He accepted he sent the messages. He now faces very uncertain circumstances.

“His relationship for obvious reasons has broken down. He feels stupid for what he has done. He felt sidelined by his wife and family.”

Judge Charles Macdonald QC said Flack made suggestions about having full sex with the “girl” and sent “distasteful” videos.

“The sentence must punish you, protect the public, and deter others,” he said. “That can only be achieved by immediate custody.”

Flack was placed on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and was barred from working with children under 16 and vulnerable adults. A sexual harm prevention order was also made.