GEORGE MCINTOSH CAUGHT IN DYCE ONLINE PREDATOR STING INVOLVING ABERDEEN AND NORTH YORKSHIRE

In a case that has shocked the local community, 64-year-old George McIntosh of Parkhill Court, Dyce, has been found guilty of engaging in inappropriate and sexual communication with what he believed was a 13-year-old girl. The incident unfolded over the festive period, specifically between Christmas Day 2018 and January 1, 2019, when McIntosh sent a series of disturbing messages to an online decoy posing as a young girl named 'Melissa'.

These messages were part of an elaborate sting conducted by a paedophile-hunting group, which had set up a fake social media profile to lure potential offenders. The group had received information from a volunteer based in North Yorkshire, who was contacted via a Facebook profile under the name 'Melissa'. The volunteer, acting under a false identity, received messages from a Facebook account registered to George McIntosh, who had provided his address when asked about a supposed delivery package.

According to court reports, the volunteer and two other males traveled from North Yorkshire to Aberdeen on January 2, 2019, after capturing screenshots of the exchanges. They called the phone number McIntosh had provided and proceeded to confront him at his residence. The encounter was filmed and streamed live on Facebook, capturing McIntosh’s reaction and statements during the confrontation. During the interaction, McIntosh claimed he had been set up, denying any malicious intent. Following the confrontation, police were contacted, leading to his arrest.

Prosecutor Lynne McVicar detailed the nature of the messages, describing them as 'sickening' and indicative of an attempt to engage in sexual communication with a minor. She emphasized that the messages were thoroughly documented by the group, which also secured McIntosh’s address before traveling to Aberdeen to confront him.

In court, McIntosh admitted to causing a person pretending to be a child to receive sexual messages. His defense, represented by Debbie Ginnifer, chose to withhold mitigation until sentencing. The case was presided over by Sheriff Ian Wallace, who deferred sentencing until November 11 to allow for a criminal justice social work report. Additionally, McIntosh was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for 18 months and to complete the Aberdeenshire Sex Offenders programme.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and community groups to combat online predatory behavior, especially during vulnerable times such as the holiday season. The incident underscores the importance of vigilance and the role of citizen-led initiatives in protecting children from exploitation and abuse, particularly in the Dyce and Aberdeen areas.