MAN TOLD SOMEONE HE THOUGHT WAS A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL SHE WAS “HOT” AND TOLD HER HE “REALLY LIKED” HER
Ian Sullivan, of Caledonia Street in the town, confessed to sending on August 8, 2024, through August 15, 2024, sexually explicit messages to a girl claiming to be 13 years old named Olivia from Brighton.In reality, Olivia was a fictitious persona, a decoy set up by Sullivan, to whom he sent messages describing her as “hot as f**k.” The 54-year-old also acknowledged that he possessed indecent images of minors at his residence from July 31, 2024, to October 8, 2024.
Procurator fiscal depute Jason Stark told Paisley Sheriff Court that a female adult established a fake Facebook profile in January 2024 under the name ‘Olivia Jackson,’ claiming she was 13 and from Brighton.
Mr Stark further explained that on August 8, 2024, the woman operating the decoy profile, named ‘Olivia,’ received a friend request from a Facebook user with the profile name ‘IAN XoOd’.
“She accepted that friend request.
“On that day, the woman sent the Facebook user Ian XoOD the message, ‘Hey Im Olivia 13 from Brighton what about you?’ “The accused replied, ‘Ffs, well I'm a lot older than you and probably shouldn't be talking as it might be creepy lol xox.’ “The decoy continued conversing with the Facebook user.” Mr Stark told the court that the decoy provided a mobile number to Sullivan to move the conversation onto WhatsApp.
When the number was provided, Sullivan “almost immediately” sent a WhatsApp message.
The conversation continued over the following days when Sullivan began sending inappropriate messages to “Olivia.” He sent texts stating Olivia was “hot”, spoke to her in a sexual manner and asked her, “would you let me get you naked hot girl?” The pervert even told “Olivia” if she wanted “any help in the bath, just shout”.
Sullivan was reported to Sussex Constabulary before intelligence was provided to Police Scotland.
Mr Stark added: “As a result of the intelligence received, Police Scotland applied for and were granted a search warrant for the accused’s flat.
“On October 8, 2024, Police attended the home address of the accused.
“Officers knocked on the door and shouted but got no reply.
“It was noted that officers had attended earlier that day and a window that had been opened earlier was now closed.
“There was a light on in the property.
As a result, officers were about to force entry into the property when the accused shouted from within, confirming he would open the door.
“A search was carried out and a Nokia mobile phone was seen lying next to the accused on the floor in the living room.
“The accused confirmed he owned the device and provided a working pin code for it.” The court heard that the Nokia was sent for full cybercrime analysis.
Forensic cops also discovered indecent images and videos of children on the phone.
The images depict predominantly female children aged between two and 14-years-old.
A total of 52 images were found on the phone, eight were classified as Category A - the most serious -, 14 as Category B and 20 as Category C.
A total of 56 child sex abuse and exploitation videos were recovered.
Of those, 37 were categorised in Category A, six were within Category B and 13 as Category C.
Sullivan’s defence agent asked for background reports to be called for.
Sheriff Amel Elfallah stated: “You have pleaded guilty to serious offences.
“I’m not going to deal with you today, I’m going to call for reports.” Sullivan was placed on the sex offenders register and will return to court for sentencing on March 6.
