AN AFTER-SCHOOL supervisor who was filmed by paedophile hunters has been given a police caution.

Edward Hartfield, 26, was charged with attempting to groom a child after sending messages to a member of Innocent Voices who was pretending to be a young girl.

He was due to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court today but the crown prosecution service (CPS) decided to “discontinue” the case at the last minute.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Following further detailed police enquiries, working in close liaison with Brighton and Hove social services, and after careful consideration, the CPS have now agreed to discontinue the prosecution. Offences of this type are taken very seriously, but each case must also be assessed taking into account the specific circumstances. The decision to discontinue the prosecution by CPS and police has been based on a number of factors.”

Hartfield was arrested at the Old Steine in Brighton last month.

The 26-year-old was a lunchtime and after-school supervisor at St Luke’s Primary School in Queen’s Park Road, Brighton.

Campaigners against child sex abuse confronted him and posted a video of the encounter on Facebook.

He was not attempting to meet the child, but was instead meeting the group to sell a T-Shirt he had advertised on Ebay.

In the video, Hartfield confirms he works with children on a one-to-one basis.

Hartfield, who has now left Sussex, admitted the offence of engaging in sexual communication with a child. Hartfield previously appeared on a list of the happiest people in Brighton.

He was diagnosed with various special needs as a young child.

Police said: “Enquiries have confirmed that there there is no evidence or information to suggest any other offences have been committed, and that there is no evidence to suggest there has been any risk to local children. The offence did not involve any attempt to meet the fictional ‘girl’ and there are confidential personal issues relating to the defendant which have also been taken into account in arriving at the decision.”

Hartfield has received a formal police caution and he will be a registered sex offender for two years. A record of the case will be on the Police National Computer, and he will be subject to police supervision under the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA).