SCOTT HOWIE CAUGHT IN CUMBERNAULD CHILD PREDATION SCHEME
| Red Rose Database
Cumbernauld Child Abuser Online Groomer
Scott Howie, a 53-year-old former charity director and Boys Brigade officer from Cumbernauld, narrowly escaped imprisonment after being caught in a disturbing online sting operation. The incident involved members of a vigilante group dedicated to child protection, who confronted Howie following a series of incriminating exchanges conducted over social media platforms.
Howie, who had previously served as a director for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland and was actively involved in fundraising efforts for the charity, found himself at the center of a serious legal case. His actions led to his placement on the sex offenders register for a period of five years, as decided by Airdrie Sheriff Court.
The charges stemmed from Howie’s admission to communicating indecently with an individual he believed to be a minor. The court heard that on April 11 of the previous year, Howie engaged in a series of sexually explicit WhatsApp messages with a person he thought was a teenage girl named Emily. During these exchanges, he also sent a photograph of his face and naked torso, along with two other sexual images, which further demonstrated his inappropriate intentions.
Prosecutor Lauren Cole explained that the online child protection group, based in South Wales, had created a fake social media profile to lure potential offenders. The group’s decoy profile was identified as a 13-year-old girl, and it was through this profile that Howie initiated contact. Cole detailed that Howie acknowledged the girl’s young age and expressed excitement about their conversation, saying, “You’re very young. I should not be talking to such a young girl. I got excited that you wanted to chat.”
He then asked her to switch their conversation to WhatsApp and provided his phone number, continuing the sexual dialogue until approximately 11:15 pm that evening. The vigilante group from South Wales subsequently shared Howie’s details with another group operating closer to his residence in Cumbernauld. On April 16, Howie was confronted by this second group, which included law enforcement officials.
During the confrontation, Howie admitted that the male in the online profile photo was indeed him. He expressed regret, acknowledging that he knew the person he was communicating with was only 13 years old and that he should have ceased contact earlier. Following this admission, police were contacted and involved in the case.
Howie’s wife chose to leave him immediately after the incident came to light. His defense solicitor, Ian Smart, described the incident as a “single, albeit serious, incident” that had resulted in “catastrophic consequences” for Howie’s personal life. The court imposed several restrictions on him, including a three-year period of social work supervision, limitations on internet use, and restrictions on contact with children under 16. Additionally, Howie was fitted with an electronic tag and ordered to remain at his home between 7 pm and 7 am for nine months.
Sheriff Fergus Thomson issued a stern warning to Howie, stating, “If you don’t comply you will be brought back to court and should be in no doubt about what that would mean to you.”
Neither Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland nor the Boys Brigade issued any public comment regarding the case. The investigation and subsequent legal proceedings highlight the ongoing efforts of child protection groups and law enforcement to combat online predatory behavior, especially involving individuals with prior community involvement and responsibilities.
Howie, who had previously served as a director for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland and was actively involved in fundraising efforts for the charity, found himself at the center of a serious legal case. His actions led to his placement on the sex offenders register for a period of five years, as decided by Airdrie Sheriff Court.
The charges stemmed from Howie’s admission to communicating indecently with an individual he believed to be a minor. The court heard that on April 11 of the previous year, Howie engaged in a series of sexually explicit WhatsApp messages with a person he thought was a teenage girl named Emily. During these exchanges, he also sent a photograph of his face and naked torso, along with two other sexual images, which further demonstrated his inappropriate intentions.
Prosecutor Lauren Cole explained that the online child protection group, based in South Wales, had created a fake social media profile to lure potential offenders. The group’s decoy profile was identified as a 13-year-old girl, and it was through this profile that Howie initiated contact. Cole detailed that Howie acknowledged the girl’s young age and expressed excitement about their conversation, saying, “You’re very young. I should not be talking to such a young girl. I got excited that you wanted to chat.”
He then asked her to switch their conversation to WhatsApp and provided his phone number, continuing the sexual dialogue until approximately 11:15 pm that evening. The vigilante group from South Wales subsequently shared Howie’s details with another group operating closer to his residence in Cumbernauld. On April 16, Howie was confronted by this second group, which included law enforcement officials.
During the confrontation, Howie admitted that the male in the online profile photo was indeed him. He expressed regret, acknowledging that he knew the person he was communicating with was only 13 years old and that he should have ceased contact earlier. Following this admission, police were contacted and involved in the case.
Howie’s wife chose to leave him immediately after the incident came to light. His defense solicitor, Ian Smart, described the incident as a “single, albeit serious, incident” that had resulted in “catastrophic consequences” for Howie’s personal life. The court imposed several restrictions on him, including a three-year period of social work supervision, limitations on internet use, and restrictions on contact with children under 16. Additionally, Howie was fitted with an electronic tag and ordered to remain at his home between 7 pm and 7 am for nine months.
Sheriff Fergus Thomson issued a stern warning to Howie, stating, “If you don’t comply you will be brought back to court and should be in no doubt about what that would mean to you.”
Neither Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland nor the Boys Brigade issued any public comment regarding the case. The investigation and subsequent legal proceedings highlight the ongoing efforts of child protection groups and law enforcement to combat online predatory behavior, especially involving individuals with prior community involvement and responsibilities.