A PAEDOPHILE hunter kidnapped a victim and forced him to withdraw and hand over more than £10,000 from his bank, a court has heard.

The victim agreed to meet a young woman who had posed on a chat site as a 14-year-old girl before Charles Touzel forced him to take the money from cashpoint machines and a bank, it was claimed at Taunton Crown Court.

His victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, agreed to meet a girl calling herself Skye in a car park near Bridgwater Station in March 2016.

'Skye', who was actually Sophie Robinson, now 24, of Friarn Avenue, Bridgwater, chatted with the man in his car before Touzel emerged, called him a paedophile, punched him and ordered him to drive around, said prosecutor Mary Cowie.

The victim was then made to drive to a number of cashpoint machines, with Touzel at first making him take out £100 and then demanding increasingly larger amounts.

Robinson left before Touzel kept his victim in a hotel overnight, taking him to his bank the following day and forcing him to take out £10,000 from his account.

Ms Cowie said £2,500 was transferred to Robinson, although she later gave back £1,600.

Robinson, who had previously pleaded guilty to fraud and acquiring criminal property, denied any involvement in sending the chat room messages to the victim, although she admitted knowingly taking money unlawfully because she was terrified of Touzel.

Patrick Mason, defending her, described her as "a young woman of whom much was expected academically" whose life had been blighted by physical and mental health issues.

She committed her crimes due to Touzel's "forceful and intimidating" manner.

Judge David Ticehurst imposed an 18-month community order and ordered £65 police had confiscated from her to be used to pay compensation.

He said: "Charles Touzel undoubtedly played the leading role.

"That you were terrified of him is perfectly understandable.

"But if you'd had nothing whatsoever to do with him you wouldn't have been in court today.

"You have considerable potential. If you apply yourself and get on with your life, there's no reason why you can't contribute substantially to society and benefit yourself as well."

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Touzel, 28, of Stiby Road, Yeovil, after he failed to appear for sentencing.