The police had already been alerted when Snowdon pulled up in the car park at the West Parade Hotel in Newcastle to meet the youngster and he was arrested by officers.

He has now been suspended from his rugby club, where he played for”countless years” and has lost two the chance of two jobs when potential employers found out.

Snowdon, of Park Terrace, Swalwell, Gateshead, said his online converstations were “all fantasy” but later admitted attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.