DAVID ROSSETTER FROM AVIEMORE EXPOSED AS SEX OFFENDER BY PAEDOPHILE HUNTERS AT GLENMORE

A prominent instructor at Scotland's renowned outdoor training centre in Glenmore has been publicly identified as a sex offender following an undercover operation by paedophile hunters. David Rossetter, a 47-year-old who served as the head of paddlesports at the facility, was caught engaging in disturbing online and offline sexual misconduct involving a decoy posing as a 13-year-old girl.

Rossetter, who was well-known among his students and colleagues for teaching children and adults how to kayak, canoe, and paddleboard, was found to have sent a video of himself naked and performing a solo sex act to what he believed was a minor girl. The investigation revealed that he had engaged in sexually explicit conversations, asking the decoy if she enjoyed seeing him naked and requesting explicit images, commonly referred to as 'naughty pics.'

According to court records, the Falkirk Sheriff Court heard that the decoy was an adult posing as a minor, part of Justice4Kids, an online organization dedicated to exposing paedophiles. The decoy provided police with a dossier of evidence after the interactions. Rossetter was arrested at his workplace in Glenmore on February 21, 2020, where he was employed as the head of paddlesports at Glenmore Lodge. During the course of the investigation, it was uncovered that Rossetter had initiated contact with the decoy as early as November 2019 through an anonymous chatroom, where he asked if she liked sex chat. Subsequently, he sent her a WhatsApp message containing his real name and a photograph, continuing to engage in sexual conversations and requesting explicit images.

Further evidence showed that Rossetter performed a sex act during a video call with the decoy. He later resumed contact, continuing to exchange sexually explicit messages that included graphic and inappropriate references. The police recovered substantial evidence of these communications, which were predominantly of a sexual nature. Rossetter eventually pleaded guilty to attempting to communicate sexually with a child for gratification.

At Falkirk Sheriff Court, he was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid community service, three years of supervision and treatment under the Scottish Government’s 'Moving Forward, Making Changes' programme, and was placed on the sex offenders register. The court also ordered that he be reported to Scottish ministers for inclusion on the list of individuals deemed unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults.

Following the charges, Rossetter faced severe personal consequences. He lost his job at Glenmore Lodge, his home, his wife, and contact with his children. Glenmore Lodge issued a statement confirming that his employment had been terminated following a disciplinary process triggered by the charges, reaffirming their commitment to safeguarding children and young people. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and safeguarding in organizations working with youth.