A Sydney judge will decide whether a viral video of a vigilante sting on an accused child sex offender can be used to help prosecute him.
YouTuber Amir Hawatt has become an internet sensation after filming elaborate set-ups to catch suspected child predators.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Vigilante sting on accused child predator tests surveillance laws
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In a recent video, he approached Sydney man Jeremy Howell, who admitted to sending “naughty photos and comments” to who he thought was a 14-year-old girl.
He was actually sending them to Hawatt, who was posing as an underage teen.
Hawatt, who posts under the pseudonym FaZe Nighthawk on platforms including YouTube, Facebook, TikTok and X, filmed the 42-year-old’s confessions then phoned police, who charged him with procuring a child for sex.
Howell appeared at Mount Druitt Court on Tuesday, with his case to continue later this year.
Hawatt gave evidence against Howell, telling the court: “I just decided to pivot into something, that I’m able to produce content and at the same time do something good for society.”
A local court judge will need to decide whether the online video, relied on by police, constitutes fair evidence or whether it was a breach of Howell’s privacy.
If the video is prohibited, police can’t use it in their case against Howell
