CONNOR MACKAY FROM RATTRAY CAUGHT IN CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION SCANDAL IN PERTH
A man from Perth who engaged in sexual conversations with what he believed were underage girls has been spared a prison sentence, as experts concluded he lacked a true interest in children.Connor Mackay, age 30, thought he was communicating with a 12-year-old girl when he requested she perform humiliating acts.
In reality, he was interacting with decoys created by two separate paedophile hunting organizations.
His arrest followed a confrontation at his home in Rattray, near Blairgowrie, by members of one of these groups.
Authorities found a collection of child abuse imagery and bestiality pictures on his laptop.
Mackay appeared at Perth Sheriff Court for sentencing after admitting to illicit online chats with individuals he believed were minors.
The court heard that Mackay did not have an obsession with children.
Sheriff Peter Hammond stated: “You have pleaded guilty to serious charges.
“Assessment work has been carried out with social services to explore suitable alternative punishments, and I am convinced that custody is not necessary.” He was sentenced to three years of supervised release, with restrictions on his internet use, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
Additionally, his name will remain on the sex offenders register for three years.
Previously, the court learned Mackay had engaged with three decoy profiles managed by online paedophile hunters.
He asked one purported 12-year-old girl to perform degrading acts, sent her a photo of his private parts, and requested she use a mirror to photograph her genitals, along with other explicit images.
He also communicated with another decoy, a different 12-year-old, posing as a girl and attempted to discuss her development, even sharing explicit pictures.
Eventually, Mackay moved on to a third account run by a different group, where similar disturbing conversations took place.
Authorities raided his residence, seizing a MacBook and three USB drives, revealing a stash of extreme pornography and child abuse content.
He pleaded guilty to engaging in sexually explicit chats with someone he believed to be under 13 from September 2023 to January 2024, and to attempting similar indecent contacts with two others in the same period.
His solicitor, Steve Lafferty, noted Mackay’s vulnerability and social isolation, suggesting underlying mental health issues.
A handwritten letter from Mackay, expressing remorse and accepting culpability, was presented to the court.
Psychologists concluded that Mackay’s issues stem from immaturity and social shortcomings rather than a sexual preference for children.
