CREEPY OAP WHO WANTED TO 'TAKE TEEN'S VIRGINITY' AVOIDS JAIL
A CREEPY pensioner who told a '14-year-old girl' that he wanted to take her virginity has avoided jail.Iain Gray was told the decision was by "the very narrowest margin" when he appeared for sentencing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.
The 69-year-old returned to the dock having previously pleaded guilty to two charges.
He admitted attempting to communicate indecently with a child and intending to meet with a child to engage in "unlawful sexual activity" involving, or in the presence of them.
The court previously heard how the OAP, of Broadlie Drive in Dalry, was caught out after the 'child' he thought he was speaking to transpired to be an adult vigilante posing as a teen online.
Gray first connected with the 'decoy' profile - purporting to be a girl named 'Emily' - on August 14, 2024, when he sent a friend request to them on Facebook.
After this was accepted, the sex offender messaged and started a conversation by saying "hi, great to be friends".
Within initial messages, 'Emily' advised that she was 14.
The pensioner claimed to be 21 at this stage and asked if she was "okay with that".
Exchanges continued and Gray, who then resided in West Kilbride, told the decoy that he would "love to take her out" and asked if the girl's mum would allow them to date.
He started to ask about meeting the girl and queried if she had any previous sexual experiences.
The profile informed Gray that they had never had intercourse before and had reservations about this.
The pensioner asked if she “would like us to do it”, telling her she would love it and not to “go with daft young boys”.
Conversations continued over a number of days during which Gray repeatedly told 'Emily' to “tell your friends she has a boyfriend now” and indicated that he was going to "take her virginity".
The pair then exchanged numbers and chats continued, in a sexual nature, over WhatsApp.
The court heard that Gray then told the 'teen' she would "love sex" after doing it for the first time and would "want to do it more".
He also said he would "spank your bum when you get cheeky".
The offender was also asking questions about the profile's clothing, including her bra size, and tried to arrange for 'Emily' to stay at his home.
Gray also discussed meeting her in Glasgow Central train station, stating he could pick her up and pay for the trip.
The pensioner advised her not to tell her parents about it, to avoid suspicion, and not to tell anyone about arranging to meet up.
He was eventually caught out on August 24 last year when the person operating the decoy profile passed on the details of his messages to another vigilante.
They attended his home, where Gray said “nothing was going to happen”.
Gray returned to the dock, using a wheelchair, with Sheriff Nicola Patrick noting reservations about the contents of background reports.
She said: "The first concern I have is this claim he has no recollection of these conversations.
I don’t find this position to be credible.
The minimising of behaviours is concerning too." Defending, solicitor Roselyn Gallen said that the background reports did not truly reflect Gray's stance.
She said: “It would appear, as much as he looks to deny it, alcohol was a major factor.
Alcohol has destroyed anything that is good in this man’s life.
“It cost him a relationship with his family, he is totally isolated.
He has no one other than one friend who lives in Perth.
“He doesn’t get out.
He doesn’t see any living soul other than carers and now the police.
“He was surprised that his shame isn’t reflected in the reports.
He advises that he is profoundly remorseful and so ashamed of his conduct.
“He never wants to be in this position again.
He will do whatever it takes, given his level of shame.” Gray was sentenced at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court this week, and Sheriff Patrick opted not to send the pensioner to prison, imposing a community-based order as a direct alternative, “by the very narrowest margin”.
She added: “I have considerable reservations about how truthful you were with the social worker.
I have seen the extent of these conversations, and I don’t think this is a credible position.
Given a number of factors, my options are somewhat limited.
There is no doubt this meets the custodial threshold." Gray will be under social work supervision for the next three years.
Various conduct requirements were also imposed, and the 69-year-old was placed on the sex offenders register for the same timeframe.
His progress on this order will be monitored, with the OAP to return to court later this year.
