A FOUNDER member of a paedophile hunting group has died, his friend has confirmed.

In a post of the Dark Justice Facebook page, ‘Scott’ confirmed his crime-fighting partner, who called himself ‘Callum’ had died in a tragic accident.

The Newcastle-based pair, who have never revealed their full names, set up Dark Justice in 2014 and have caught more than 100 paedophiles by gathering evidence online before confronting them.

They set up fake profiles pretending to be underage girls and talk to men who try to engage the 'decoy' in explicit chat of a sexual nature.

Offenders are filmed when they turn up for a meeting and before they are arrested by police and put before the courts.

‘Scott’ also told followers the work of Dark Justice  would no longer be able to continue.

The full post reads: "This is the hardest post I have ever had to make.

"It is with great sadness I have to announce that Callum the co-founder of Dark Justice sadly lost his life in a tragic accident.

"Myself and his family are very upset and broken by this tragic news.

"And with that I need to tell you that I will also be stepping away from Dark Justice I have tried to think of a way to continue but sadly without my best friend I can't see myself continuing.

"I would like to thank you all for the amazing support you have shown us over the last seven years and a ‘thank you’ to all the other groups out there fighting for the rights of children and in the words of Callum "go get em lads!"

"Rest easy bro until we meet again."