ROBERT KEARNEY JAILED FOR ONLINE SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST 12-YEAR-OLD IN INVERCLYDE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community in Inverclyde, Robert Kearney, aged 24, has been sentenced to prison for engaging in serious online sexual offences involving a 12-year-old boy. The offences came to light after Kearney created multiple fake accounts on Facebook, a popular social media platform, with the apparent intent of targeting vulnerable minors.

According to court proceedings held at Greenock Sheriff Court, Kearney's actions took place over several occasions in May 2016. During this period, he communicated with the young boy through these fabricated profiles, which he used to conceal his true identity. The court was informed that Kearney sent the child a sexually explicit image of his private parts, an act that constitutes a grave breach of trust and a serious criminal offence.

Sheriff Derek Hamilton emphasized the severity of the charges, stating, “These are serious charges involving a child of 12 years of age.” The court heard that Kearney had initially claimed he inquired about the boy’s age and was told he was 16. However, evidence presented during the trial revealed that the profile picture on the Facebook account was unmistakably an image of a child. Additionally, a photograph displayed in the court showed a school tie draped over a chair in the background, further indicating the profile was that of a young person.

Kearney pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including sending written sexual communications to the 12-year-old, transmitting sexually explicit messages via Facebook, and causing the child to view an image of his private parts. He also admitted to possessing indecent photographs or pseudo-photos of a child, which compounded the seriousness of his offences.

During the sentencing hearing, Kearney’s legal representative argued for leniency, suggesting that a community payback order with maximum unpaid work hours would be appropriate, especially considering Kearney’s age and that this was his first offence. However, Sheriff Hamilton dismissed this proposal outright, stating, “From a clear objective view the complainer here is a child. You set up fake accounts and it seems to me you planned this and you initiated it. There is no alternative to custody.”

As a result, Robert Kearney was sentenced to 14 months in prison. Furthermore, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, a measure designed to protect the community and monitor his activities post-release. Kearney’s address was not disclosed during the court proceedings, but his conviction and sentence serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online predators and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children in the digital age.