COLIN SHIRLEY FROM BANKNOCK SENT INDECENT PHOTOS TO ONLINE PREDATOR TRAP IN CLYDEBANK

In January 2021, a disturbing case emerged involving Colin Shirley, a resident of Banknock, who became entangled in a serious online misconduct incident. Shirley, aged 46, was found to have sent explicit images of his private parts to an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl named “Elle”.

Unbeknownst to Shirley, “Elle” was actually an adult woman working undercover to catch online predators. Her role was to pose as a vulnerable minor in order to identify and report individuals engaging in inappropriate online behavior. Once Shirley’s messages and images were discovered, they were promptly reported to the police authorities.

Subsequently, Shirley appeared before Falkirk Sheriff Court to face the charges. It was established that he had sent these sexually explicit messages via WhatsApp from an address located on Laburnum Road in Banknock. The messages were sent over a period starting from January 25 and continuing until March 19 of the previous year.

During the court proceedings, Stan Quirk, representing Shirley, stated that his client had suffered significant personal consequences as a result of his actions. Quirk explained, “He has lost his house, lost his job and brought shame on his parents, who are both elderly, because of his involvement in this.”

In response, Sheriff Christopher Shead sentenced Shirley to a supervised community payback order for a duration of three years. As part of the sentence, Shirley was required to complete 160 hours of unpaid work within the following 12 months. Additionally, he was mandated to register as a sex offender for a period of three years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his conduct.

Shirley’s case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat online sexual offenses and protect vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such offenses are treated and the importance of accountability in the digital age.