THE SUBJECT of a ‘paedophile hunting' video appeared in court today in relation to grooming underage girls.

Darlington man Jonathan Shearer faced magistrates in Newton Aycliffe following a breach of bail conditions imposed yesterday (Monday, May 25).

Shearer, 44, was initially arrested following an investigation into a viral Facebook video that showed two men confronting him in the street with accusations of sexual grooming.

Police issued warnings about the risks of online vigilantism after the video, since removed from the internet, was viewed more than 70,000 times in less than an hour.

Shearer, charged with two counts relating to the sexual grooming of an underage girl, was today remanded in custody after breaching bail conditions by failing to provide a home address to the court.

Prosecutor Rachael Dodds said his mother and ex-girlfriend had refused to let him stay with them and argued he should be remanded in custody.

Magistrates agreed to remand him in custody until his upcoming Crown Court appearance.