TAYSIDE OFFENDER POSES AS TEEN IN ONLINE GROOMING NIGHTMARE
A man from Methven, Colin Smith, was found guilty of posing as a 14-year-old to groom a child online and sending explicit pictures of his private parts.The incident was part of an investigation where a paedophile hunter created a fake Facebook account posing as a 14-year-old girl.
Smith added the profile and started engaging with it, claiming to be 14 and from Scotland.
Over several months, he sent four images of his genitals, which clearly showed distinctive tattoos on his arm, along with a framed photo of a female family member in the background.
The communication included 42 inappropriate chats, with Smith confirming her age as 14 on ten occasions.
The virtual grooming was intercepted by online groups 'Wolfpack Hunters UK' and 'Catching Predators Online,' who confronted him at his home.
The police subsequently responded, gathering evidence for court proceedings.
Smith admitted to the offenses, which occurred between May 6 and July 26, 2018.
He thought the online child he was interacting with was real but was caught in an operation.
Sheriff Alison Michie deferred sentence for report preparation and granted bail with conditions restricting his internet use.
Additionally, his details have been entered into the sex offenders register.
