COLIN PETER FROM LEVEN AND WINDYGATES CAUGHT TRYING TO MEET 12-YEAR-OLD GIRL AT KIRKCALDY STATION BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS

In a disturbing case that highlights the ongoing threat of online predators, Colin Peter, a 54-year-old man from Windygates, was caught attempting to meet a young girl he believed was just 12 years old at Kirkcaldy railway station. The incident, which took place on July 29 of the previous year, was orchestrated by the vigilant paedophile hunter group known as Groom Resisters Scotland, who had been monitoring Peter’s online activities for some time.

Peter had been engaging in a series of sexualized communications with what he thought was a minor girl, but in reality, he was speaking with a member of the hunter group. His online exchanges included explicit messages, and he had made arrangements to meet the girl at the transport hub in Kirkcaldy, intending to carry out unlawful sexual activity. When he arrived at the station, he was confronted by the group, who live-streamed the sting on social media, capturing the moment of his arrest.

Following his apprehension, Peter appeared before Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, where he pleaded guilty to two serious charges. The first involved deliberately sending sexual messages to someone he believed was a child under 13, originating from his former residence on Haughgate Street in Leven. The second charge related to his attempt to meet the girl with the intent of engaging in illegal sexual acts.

During the court proceedings, Sheriff James Williamson addressed the case with a focus on public safety. He noted that Peter’s actions, combined with his previous convictions dating back to the 1980s and 1990s, warranted a strict but community-based sentence. The sheriff emphasized that Peter’s background was a significant factor in his decision to impose a community payback order for three years, along with a requirement to register as a sex offender.

As part of the court’s ruling, Peter is prohibited from having any unauthorized contact with children under the age of 16. His internet usage will be closely monitored, and he must seek approval for any changes to his accommodation or employment. The sheriff also ordered a background report to be prepared, considering Peter’s criminal history and the nature of his offenses.

Defense solicitor Kerr Sneddon, who has a learning disability and has not committed any offenses since 1994, was present during the hearing. Sheriff Williamson acknowledged the lengthy gap in his client’s offending history and expressed some relief that Peter’s previous convictions did not lead to a custodial sentence. Nonetheless, he made it clear that the community’s safety was paramount, and the community payback order was deemed appropriate. The sheriff stated, “Given your background, I’m prepared to deal with you by way of a community payback order of three years. You will have no contact with children under the age of 16 unless approved by your supervising officer.”

Earlier in January 2019, Peter’s intentions were exposed when he was caught at Kirkcaldy Train Station by the same hunter group. The group had been tracking his online activity since July 2018, when he began communicating with what he believed was a young girl. His repeated sexual messages and plans to meet the girl at the station were all part of the sting operation. When confronted, Peter attempted to deny any wrongdoing, claiming they were just going to have lunch and go shopping, but the evidence against him was overwhelming.

One of the messages he admitted to sending was particularly explicit, suggesting they could stay at his place to watch a movie or listen to music, and even proposing they have sex, with the use of a condom. The sheriff summarized the case by stating, “This is a case where the accused became involved online with someone he thought was a child and involved himself in correspondence. He was thereafter detected by this group and interviewed.”

Peter was released on bail and is scheduled to return to Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on February 15 for sentencing, where the court will determine the length of his registration on the sex offenders register. The case underscores the persistent dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilant community efforts to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.