BLANTYRE MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ENGAGING WITH MINORS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA
A man identified as Barry Gorman, aged 42, from Blantyre, engaged in inappropriate communications with minors he believed to be 12 and 14 years old through Facebook.He pursued conversations with the decoys, which included disturbing messages such as 'age is just a number' and 'you are young enough to be my daughter.' Despite being repeatedly told that the recipients were under 16, Gorman continued to send sleazy and depraved messages.
In one instance, he even claimed to have 'blacked out' due to alcohol consumption but was unable to explain the messages sent from his phone.
He also sent an explicit image of himself to one girl.
Gorman contacted the decoys through accounts that used images and names indicative of young girls.
Members of the group Stop UK, who conducted the decoy operations, tried to visit his home address but found the wrong details, so they contacted the police.
Gorman was later arrested, questioned, and admitted to indecently contacting both decoys in September last year.
He stated he did not remember sending any messages due to alcohol influence but accepted the contact.
Gorman appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court was told he was placed on the sex offenders' register and the sheriff deferred sentencing until July for further reports, continuing bail.
The prosecutor highlighted that Gorman's contact was explicit, and he had attempted to hide his identity and actions.
The group attending his address was turned away due to incorrect information, and police apprehended him thereafter.
