POLICE OFFICER MADE SEXUAL COMMENTS TO UNDERCOVER OFFICER POSING AS 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL
A man with a background as a police officer working in educational settings has been sentenced to a year behind bars following his involvement in an undercover operation.Adam McManus, aged 40, sought images of a girl dressed in her school uniform and inquired if she had teased teachers with her short skirts.
While serving as a constable at Cumbernauld Police Station, he was caught in a sting set up by an undercover officer portraying a 12-year-old schoolgirl.
During a court appearance at Falkirk Sheriff Court, it was emphasized that only a custodial sentence was appropriate given his actions.
The court was informed that McManus had previously worked as a school campus police officer, covering two high schools in Airdrie over several years.
His arrest was the result of an investigation titled “Operation Overview,” which targets online child sexual abuse and exploitation through covert law enforcement efforts.
Prosecutor Jennifer Barnier explained: “The aim of Operation Overview is to identify and swiftly bring to justice offenders who pose a risk to children after other conventional police tactics have been exhausted.” McManus initiated contact with a police decoy, who was acting as a teenage girl named “Chloe” on Kick Messenger.
Ms Barnier stated: “On January 9, 2025, during their first contact, she told him she was a 12-year-old girl in her first year of high school in Airdrie.” McManus inquired about her school uniform and requested photographs of her wearing it.
Later, during a second online exchange, he asked whether she liked short skirts and to send him images.
From his home in Larbert, McManus continued communication, making references to her underwear, asking if she teased her teacher with her skirt and legs, and requesting photos of her “sexy undies,” as well as details about her sexual experiences.
He was reminded that she was only 12, but he persisted with questions about her sexual activity.
Police raided his Larbert residence and uncovered evidence of these conversations on his phone.
They also discovered communications with another individual involved in child sexual abuse, known by the alias “Ollie Oogler,” discussing plans of abusing children.
The search yielded 25 videos and still images depicting child sexual abuse, including some of the most serious category of material.
McManus, who is married and a father of one, admitted guilt in January to engaging in sexual communication with an undercover officer posing as a minor, between January 9 and February 4, 2025; downloading child sexual images between August 2023 and February 2025; and engaging in indecent electronic communication with another paedophile from February 2024 to August 2024.
It was noted during court proceedings that McManus resigned from the police force following his guilty plea.
Sentencing him to 12 months in prison, Sheriff Christopher Shead stated: “Considering the charges, particularly their nature and quantity, I conclude that only a custodial sentence is suitable.” Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years.
* The article now includes an updated photo of him, after police declined to release a custody image.
