STUART HUGHES FROM LIVINGSTON SENTENCED FOR GROOMING SCHOOLGIRLS ONLINE IN EDINBURGH

In a case that has shocked the local community, Stuart Hughes, aged 34, of Mid Calder and Craigshill in Livingston, was brought before the Sheriff Court House in Edinburgh to face serious allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors. The court proceedings revealed that Hughes had engaged in a disturbing pattern of online grooming, targeting eight young girls aged between 13 and 15 years old.

According to court records, Hughes falsely claimed to be 21 years old in his communications with these vulnerable minors. He sent them sexually explicit messages, including nude videos and photographs of himself, with the apparent intent of persuading them to engage in sexual activities. The court heard that his actions were calculated and predatory, aimed at exploiting the innocence of these young girls for his own gratification.

The case took a more alarming turn when Hughes physically approached one of the girls in Edinburgh City Centre. During this encounter, he offered her money in exchange for sex. The girl, understandably distressed and alarmed by his proposition, managed to run away and immediately alerted a police officer present in the area. The police responded swiftly and arrested Hughes at the scene, bringing his predatory behavior to a halt.

Following his arrest, law enforcement officials launched a comprehensive investigation into Hughes’s online activities. Authorities seized his electronic devices, which yielded crucial evidence of his sickening demands and communications with the minors. The evidence confirmed that Hughes had engaged in multiple instances of sexual communication with children under the age of 16, leading to a series of charges against him.

During the court proceedings, the judge found Hughes guilty of several sexual offences involving minors. In sentencing, Hughes was given a prison term of 16 months, along with an extended sentence of 30 months to serve concurrently. Additionally, the court mandated that Hughes register as a sex offender for a period of 46 months. He was also placed on the vulnerable groups register, a measure that will prevent him from working with children in the future and aims to protect other minors from potential harm.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect young people from predators operating under the guise of anonymity on the internet. The community in Livingston and Edinburgh is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving minors to authorities.