ANTONIUS VAN HESTEREN FROM BEITH SENTENCED FOR ONLINE SEX OFFENSES

A 70-year-old man from Beith has been handed a prison sentence of 23 months after being found guilty of attempting to establish contact with a minor through online communication platforms with the intent of engaging in sexual activity. The individual in question, Antonius Van Hesteren, believed he was communicating with a young girl under the age of 16. However, in reality, he was interacting with an undercover police officer who was posing as a minor.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Van Hesteren had made efforts to contact what he thought was a vulnerable underage girl, but the entire interaction was part of an undercover operation aimed at catching individuals attempting to exploit minors online. The court took into account his previous convictions when determining the sentence, which was backdated to April to reflect the ongoing legal process.

In addition to the prison term, Van Hesteren was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years. This measure is intended to monitor his activities and prevent any potential future offenses. The case highlights ongoing concerns about online safety and the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat the exploitation of minors through digital platforms.