STUART MACAY FROM MINTLAW CAUGHT IN ONLINE STING INVOLVING CHILD EXPLOITATION AND BESTIALITY

In January 2021, Stuart MacKay, a resident of Mintlaw, found himself at the center of a disturbing online investigation that uncovered his involvement in sending illicit messages and possessing indecent images of children. The case emerged after MacKay engaged with paedophile-hunting groups operating on social media, where he believed he was communicating with minors.

MacKay, aged 27 at the time, had initiated contact with members of two separate groups, Justice for the Innocent and Forbidden Scotland, which conduct online sting operations to catch individuals attempting to exploit children. These groups use decoy profiles, often posing as young girls, to identify and confront potential offenders.

Between August 21 and September 1, 2019, MacKay exchanged messages with a woman pretending to be a 12-year-old girl. During this exchange, he asked if she liked “older men” and referred to her as “cute,” despite her claiming to be only 12 years old. In one message, he wrote, “Hey there beautiful how are you? Are you into older guys?” to which she responded, revealing her age. MacKay responded with comments like “Oh you’re really cute for your age,” further indicating his inappropriate interest.

Subsequently, in late September 2019, MacKay contacted another woman involved in a different paedophile-hunting group. He asked if she would like to tie him up and made references to bestiality, sending her further disturbing messages. When she disclosed her age as 13, MacKay replied simply with “Okay,” but then continued to send depraved messages expressing his desire for a “cute young girl” “to do naughty things to me.”

Following these exchanges, the matter was reported to the police on September 28, 2019. Law enforcement officers responded swiftly, executing a search warrant at MacKay’s home on the following day. During the search, they seized electronic devices that contained a disturbing collection of illegal material. Investigators discovered eight images classified as category C (the least serious), along with two images categorized as B. Additionally, they found a total of 53 images and nine videos depicting bestiality, with the videos totaling over 20 minutes of footage.

Further examination revealed Google searches related to rape and bestiality, indicating premeditated interest in such illegal activities. The police also uncovered indecent images of children, as well as videos and photographs involving child exploitation. MacKay’s address was listed as Artlaw Crescent, Mintlaw.

MacKay faced multiple charges, including attempting to communicate indecently with a child aged 12 and another aged 13. He also admitted to possessing extreme pornographic images, as well as taking, permitting to be taken, or making indecent images or pseudo-photos of children. His guilty plea covered five charges in total.

During the court hearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Sheriff Philip Mann acknowledged that MacKay had not committed any further offences since being placed on a sex offender’s program and supervision order. The sheriff noted that MacKay had made efforts to address his behavior, including sorting out his cannabis use and engaging with the supervision and “Moving Forward, Making Changes” program. Sheriff Mann commented, “I note from the report you have shown remorse for your offending and taken steps to address your offending behaviour.”

As part of his sentence, MacKay was handed an 18-month supervision order, required to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, and placed under a curfew for four and a half months. Additionally, he was subjected to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act for a period of five years, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community from potential harm.