MAN PLACED ON SEX OFFENDERS' REGISTER FOR FIVE YEARS AFTER POLICE PAEDOPHILE STING
A Lanarkshire man has been placed on the sex offenders' register for five years after a police paedophile sting.Neil Munro had an online conversation of a sexual nature with a person he thought was a girl aged 12.
Airdrie Sheriff Court heard it turned out to be an undercover female police officer.
Munro, 37, of Old Church Gardens in Bargeddie, admitted attempting to communicate in an indecent way with a child on April 25 last year.
The court heard that he used the profile "Working at Home" on a social media platform and initiated a conversation with 'Mya'.
'Mya' said she was 12-years-old but despite this, Munro steered the conversation towards matters of a sexual nature and said he was "extremely turned on" by her.
He also said he "imagined her doing all sorts" before asking her for a photograph.
Nothing was sent and the undercover officer ended the conversation.
Police went to Munro's home the next morning and he was arrested.
He made no comment when interviewed by officers.
Munro has no previous convictions and the court heard he has taken steps to address his behaviour by completing a 10-week course, Stop It Now.
After studying background reports and a risk assessment, Sheriff Fergus Thomson said he was willing to impose an alternative to a prison sentence.
Munro was placed under social work supervision for three years and ordered to do 180 hours of unpaid community work.
