EDWARD BARR FROM LIVINGSTON AND WHITBURN CAUGHT IN EDINBURGH CHILD SEX STING

In a case that has once again highlighted the dangers posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses, Edward Barr, a man with connections to Livingston and Whitburn, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation in Edinburgh.

Back in August 2018, Barr was caught in a vigilante operation conducted by the Wolf Pack Hunters UK group, a community of online child protection advocates. The group had set up a fake online profile to lure potential predators, aiming to protect vulnerable children from exploitation. Barr, who had previously been convicted of possessing child abuse images and placed on the sex offenders register for two years following a 2015 court appearance at Livingston Sheriff Court, was identified as a suspect.

At that time, Barr had been living in Whitburn, West Lothian, and had his name removed from the sex offenders register in December of the previous year after completing his sentence. However, just six weeks after his removal, he was found attempting to re-engage in illegal activities online. The decoy, posing as a 13-year-old girl named Nicky Walker, engaged in conversations with Barr, who believed he was communicating with a minor. The discussions initially appeared nonsexual but soon escalated to explicit topics, with Barr explicitly expressing his desire to meet for sexual activity.

On January 4 of that year, Barr asked the decoy if they could meet up, claiming he was off work the following day. He arranged to meet her at her house in Edinburgh, traveling from his residence in Whitburn. The following day, Barr sent an email indicating he was en route to a meeting point near an underpass in Sighthill, Edinburgh. The vigilante group, having been alerted by the decoy, tracked his movements and approached him at a bus stop around 1:20 pm.

When members of the Wolf Pack Hunters UK confronted Barr, he confirmed he was there to meet the 13-year-old girl. Police were immediately contacted, and officers arrived at the scene by 1:45 pm. They found Barr surrounded by the group, in possession of a mobile phone and a tube of lubricant, indicating his intent. Barr was promptly arrested on the spot.

Following his arrest, Barr was taken to Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where he admitted to communicating with the decoy, whom he believed to be a minor, and making arrangements to meet for sexual purposes. The court heard that between January 31 and February 5, Barr had engaged in conversations with the decoy, which had escalated to explicit discussions. He also asked to meet her, with plans to engage in sexual activity.

During the hearing, Sheriff Alison Stirling expressed her serious concern over the case. She noted that there was no guarantee Barr would receive a community-based disposal and indicated that she was seriously considering custody. She also ordered that Barr be placed back on the sex offenders register for an unspecified period and deferred sentencing to allow for further reports and a risk assessment.

Sheriff Stirling emphasized the gravity of Barr’s actions, especially considering his previous conviction. She stated, “You have to accept, standing your previous conviction, that I am seriously considering custody in your case.” The case underscores the ongoing threat posed by individuals with prior offenses who attempt to reoffend, and the importance of vigilant community efforts to prevent such crimes from occurring.