CHRISTOPHER KELLY CAUGHT IN EAST KILBRIDE AND HAMILTON WATER PALACE SCANDAL

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of East Kilbride and Hamilton, Christopher Kelly, aged 27, was confronted by a vigilant paedophile hunting team after he traveled to Hamilton Water Palace with the apparent intention of meeting a young girl he had been grooming online.

Kelly, who resides on Liddell Grove in East Kilbride, was brought before Hamilton Sheriff Court on a recent Friday, where he faced serious allegations related to his online conduct. The court heard that Kelly had been actively engaging in inappropriate communications with two women he believed to be under the age of 16, between April 1 and July 16 of the previous year.

Specifically, Kelly admitted to sending messages and explicit photographs of a sexual nature to these individuals, as well as making arrangements to meet one of them with the intent of engaging in unlawful sexual activity. At the time of these incidents, Kelly was living in Kelvin Gardens, Hamilton.

Prosecutor Vish Kathuria explained that the paedophile hunters had set up fake online profiles to lure Kelly into revealing his intentions. Kelly, despite having a partner, had told one of the fake profiles, identified as ‘Chelsea’, that he “wanted a relationship, someone I can be with for the rest of my life,” despite ‘Chelsea’ claiming to be only 12 years old.

Kelly’s communications included explicit messages and photographs, and he repeatedly asked ‘Chelsea’ to send nude pictures. However, she claimed her camera was not working. During this period, Kelly was also communicating with another profile, ‘Beth’, who stated she was 13 years old. Kelly told ‘Beth’ that he could give her a body massage and suggested that having sex would be acceptable because “no one would know.”

According to the prosecution, Kelly made plans to meet ‘Beth’ at Hamilton Water Palace. However, instead of meeting a young girl, he was confronted by members of the paedophile hunting group. The incident was recorded and shared via a live video feed on Facebook, which was viewed by many.

Kelly initially dismissed the confrontation, claiming it was “rubbish” and suggested he could have been hacked, asserting he was on his way to visit his grandmother and that “anyone could have done it.” Nonetheless, he later admitted that he was the one who had initiated contact with the girls. Following the confrontation, police were called to the scene, and officers seized his mobile phone for investigation.

Sheriff Thomas Millar ordered that background reports and a risk assessment be prepared before sentencing. Kelly’s case was adjourned, with a new court date set for May 2, and his bail was continued in the meantime.