GARY MONAGHAN FROM MINTLAW CAUGHT GROOMING 10-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN SHOCKING ONLINE PREDATION IN MINTLAW

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Mintlaw, a man named Gary Monaghan has been convicted of grooming a young girl through social media platforms. The incident, which took place in early February of the previous year, involved Monaghan engaging in inappropriate and predatory online behavior directed at a girl just 10 years old.

According to court records, Monaghan, aged 41, used a popular social networking site to communicate with the young girl, who was at her home in Glasgow at the time. The court heard that the girl, while browsing her social media account, clicked on a button labeled “meet new friends,” which unexpectedly displayed Monaghan’s profile picture. It was at this moment that the grooming began. Monaghan then proceeded to ask her to show her chest, explicitly threatening to report her to the police if she refused. This coercive and manipulative behavior was witnessed by the girl’s younger cousin, aged eight, who was present in the home during the incident.

Further into the conversation, Monaghan continued to engage the girl in obscene chat, asking if she had ever watched pornography. He also sent her a link to an explicit pornographic video, which she did not open immediately but later discovered on her parents’ device. The court was told that Monaghan’s actions were not isolated, as he repeatedly induced the girl to participate in sexual activities through online communication. He also instructed her to show him her chest, making demands that were both inappropriate and illegal.

Monaghan’s behavior was brought to light when the girl’s parents discovered the link and reported the incident to authorities. Police examined Monaghan’s home computer but found no evidence of child pornography, which was considered a positive aspect of the case. Nevertheless, the court emphasized the severity of his actions, highlighting the dangers of internet predation.

At Peterhead Sheriff Court, Monaghan appeared to face charges of repeatedly inducing a minor to engage in sexual activity and engaging in obscene online chats. He admitted to these charges, which led to his conviction. Sheriff Gregor Murray, presiding over the case, chose not to impose a prison sentence but instead ordered Monaghan to participate in a five-year sex offenders treatment program. Additionally, he was banned from owning or using any device capable of internet access, including mobile phones, unless explicitly authorized by police authorities. Any future attempts to create social media profiles would require police approval, and officers would retain the right to monitor his online activity.

Furthermore, Monaghan was instructed to stay away from children unless accompanied by a relative or if it was unavoidable. He was placed under supervision for three years and ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service. His solicitor, Debbie Wilson, emphasized that this was Monaghan’s first offense, but the court acknowledged the gravity of his misconduct. Sheriff Murray remarked that if any obscene material had been found on his devices, he would have faced imprisonment. He also underscored the importance of eradicating such heinous online offenses, describing them as “truly repugnant.”

Mrs. Wilson expressed concern that the court’s restrictions might impact Monaghan’s ability to attend family events, such as children’s football matches, where supervision would be necessary. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking on the internet and the importance of vigilance in protecting vulnerable minors from online predators.