EAST LOTHIAN MAN SENTENCED FOR ONLINE CHILD SEX OFFENSES
Daniel Schlegel, an East Lothian resident, was convicted of sending disturbing sexual messages to social media profiles he believed belonged to two 14-year-old girls named Imogen and Billy-Jo.The 49-year-old project manager contacted the profiles in August and September 2023, making explicit comments and requesting nude images.
He told one girl he would 'love to see you in the shower' and described her as 'sexy,' while talking about shaving her pubic hair and fantasizing about undressing her.
Unbeknownst to him, the profiles were operated by adult decoys from the paedo hunter group Elite, who confronted him at his home in Musselburgh in 2023 after passing his details to authorities.
Schlegel attempted to run away but was detained by the hunters until police arrived.
He later pleaded guilty in Edinburgh Sheriff Court to attempting to communicate indecently with both children between August 26 and September 8, 2023.
The sheriff described his conduct as 'shameful and disgusting' and noted he had a prior conviction in Germany for similar behavior in 2020.
Schlegel was placed on the sex offenders register, and sentencing was deferred until next month for social work reports.
