PETER MOFFAT FROM PERTH SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES AFTER ONLINE STING

A man from Perth, identified as Peter Moffat, has been formally sentenced after a disturbing series of online communications that led to his placement on the sex offenders register until the year 2030. The case unfolded in Perth Sheriff Court, where Moffat faced the consequences of his actions following his admission to engaging in inappropriate and illegal messaging with an individual he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.

According to court records, Moffat, who resides on Market Street in Perth, was involved in a series of conversations that took place between October 25 and November 1 of the previous year. During this period, he believed he was communicating with a young girl, but in reality, he was speaking with a vigilante paedophile hunter operating under the guise of a minor. The interactions included requests for explicit photographs and the sending of explicit images by Moffat himself, which included a photo of his genitals.

The online exchanges occurred via Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, platforms commonly used for private messaging. Moffat's conduct was exposed when the vigilante, posing as a 13-year-old girl, confronted him about his inappropriate messages. Following this confrontation, the vigilante reported the incident to the police, leading to Moffat's arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

During the hearing, prosecutor Andrew Harding highlighted that Moffat claimed he did not believe the girl was actually 13, asserting that she appeared older, which he used as a justification for continuing communication. Moffat also expressed feelings of embarrassment and shame over his actions, according to the prosecution.

In the courtroom, Moffat's legal representative, solicitor David Holmes, acknowledged the significant impact these events have had on his client’s life. The court was informed that Moffat, aged 62, had a prior conviction, though it was not related to similar offenses. The sheriff, David Hall, emphasized the gravity of the case, describing the offending as