An individual who believed he was talking to a minor online was caught sending a series of sexual messages to an undercover police officer. The man, identified as Andrew Kerr, aged 35, was spared from jail after admitting to efforts to communicate indecently with a child over a span of more than two months from his home in Fife.

The Dundee Sheriff Court was informed that Kerr thought he was chatting with a 14-year-old girl on Chat Avenue, a site designed for adult users.

The profile associated with the chat included a picture of a girl dressed in a school uniform, with her age clearly marked in the bio.

Prosecutor Stewart Duncan stated that Kerr provided detailed descriptions of sexual acts he intended to carry out.

Kerr, from Crossgate, Cupar, pleaded guilty to repeatedly sending sexually explicit messages and referencing sexual conduct while attempting to engage in indecent communication with a minor from November 25, 2024, through January 28 of this year.

The court sentenced him to 30 months of supervised release, imposing strict behavioral conditions and requiring participation in the Moving Forward to Change programme tailored for sex offenders.

Additionally, Kerr will be subject to sex offender notification obligations for the entire period of supervision.