EAST KILBRIDE PAEDOPHILE ALASDAIR MACDONALD CAUGHT BY HUNTERS WARNING OF JAIL TIME

In October 2021, a disturbing case unfolded in East Kilbride involving a man named Alasdair MacDonald, who was caught in a sting operation conducted by paedophile hunters. The incident took place at a petrol station on Maxwellton Road, where MacDonald was employed, after a lengthy investigation that involved online covert activities.

MacDonald, aged 30 and residing in Tiree, East Kilbride, was found to have engaged in inappropriate and illegal online communications with individuals he believed to be underage girls. These conversations were part of an elaborate online sting by members of Forbidden Scotland, a group dedicated to exposing online predators. The evidence collected during these interactions was crucial in tracking him down to his workplace.

During the online exchanges, MacDonald encouraged the supposed underage girls to engage in sexual activities. One particularly alarming conversation involved a girl who explicitly reminded him that she was only 14 years old and therefore too young for any sexual activity. Despite this, MacDonald responded in a highly inappropriate manner, telling her, "You can do anything you want. Don’t let anyone tell you that. Lots of girls are doing it at your age. Age is just a number. You should try it."

He was subsequently charged and appeared before Hamilton Sheriff Court on a Friday. The court heard that between April and July of the previous year, MacDonald had sent indecent messages and explicit images to three individuals he believed to be underage girls, one of whom was only 12 years old. The evidence included photographs of himself engaged in sexual acts, as well as a live video of him performing a sex act.

Prosecutor Mairi-Clare McMillan revealed that MacDonald also shared his mobile phone number with the group. Using this information, members of the group contacted him under the guise of being representatives from a phone company, which allowed them to obtain further details, including his address and place of work. This led to his confrontation at the petrol station on August 1 of the previous year, after which police were called to the scene.

During police interviews, MacDonald admitted to coming from a broken home, which he claimed was a factor in his inappropriate behavior. The court was informed that he had no previous criminal convictions. Sheriff Ray Small ordered a criminal justice social work report and a risk assessment before sentencing. The judge deferred the case until the following month and placed MacDonald on the sex offenders’ register. Bail was continued, but Sheriff Small issued a stern warning, stating, "I have an open mind about what the sentence will be, but it could be custody." The case remains ongoing, highlighting the serious nature of online predatory behavior and the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts in protecting vulnerable individuals.