SEX OFFENDER ADMITS POSSESSING CHILD ABUSE VIDEOS AFTER UNDERCOVER POLICE STING
A convicted sex offender who admitted to engaging in online conversations with an individual posing as a young boy was also found in possession of indecent images of children.Connor Hendren admitted to deliberately attempting to send a sexual message to someone he believed was a 14-year-old named Max, but who was actually an undercover police officer.
The 29-year-old discussed topics such as the size of the "boy’s" genitals, masturbation, and sexual activities, with the intent of either deriving sexual pleasure or causing humiliation, distress, or fear.
Additionally, Hendren tried to encourage the individual to view a sexual image by sending a photograph of his genitals from his home on Kilmarnock Road, Dundonald, between February 3 and February 13, 2023.
He also kept indecent images of children at his residence, with charges indicating this occurred from February 16 to October 12, 2023.
Previously, Hendren entered a plea of not guilty to these charges during a short pre-trial session at Ayr Sheriff Court last year.
He then changed legal representation before the trial with a jury was scheduled.
When he later pleaded guilty, the court was informed that police had obtained a warrant on October 10, 2025.
Officers went to his home, seized an iPhone, and examined its contents.
They matched an email address found on the device to one used by the undercover officer on Snapchat.
A cyber investigation uncovered images of child sexual exploitation, categorized into levels A, B, and C.
Eleven images fell into category A and were accessible, three in category B which were not accessible, and one in category C.
In total, there were 15 moving images depicting boys aged between eight and sixteen.
The Crown requested that the sheriff impose an additional sexual harm prevention order.
Defense lawyer Tony Currie stated that background reports were expected to be needed before sentencing and asked for Hendren to remain on bail, citing the lengthy proceedings in court.
Sheriff Siobhan Connelly responded that Hendren’s guilty plea involved serious charges, and explained that comprehensive background checks, including social work reports, restriction of liberty orders, and risk assessments, would be required.
The sheriff emphasized the need for Hendren’s full cooperation and informed him that, due to the seriousness of the offences, he would now be subject to sex offender notification requirements, meaning he must inform police of his whereabouts.
The sheriff also indicated Hendren’s sentencing date would be set later, and that he would remain on bail until then.
