WILLIAM FIGURES SHOCKS LINWOOD WITH SEX OFFENDER CHARGES AND AIR RIFLE DISCOVERY

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Linwood, William Figures, aged 33, has been found guilty of serious offenses involving a minor and possession of an unregistered firearm. The incident dates back to May 17, 2018, when Figures engaged in a series of inappropriate communications with a 15-year-old girl, offering her money in exchange for explicit photographs.

According to court reports, the young girl, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, received a message from Figures’ mobile phone that read, ‘Right, I am perv. Well whit male isn’t, lol? I was thinking, you could send a nude pic and that could be aner ten spot. But if it’s a full nude body pic, I would give you £20 on top of the tenner lol XXX.’

This message caused the girl significant distress, leaving her visibly shaken and crying inconsolably. The prosecutor, Keri Marshall, detailed how the girl, overwhelmed by the message, contacted a witness and asked to meet her. When they met, the girl was in tears and trembling, prompting her to call her mother. Her mother, unable to understand her initial distress, later learned the details of the incident after speaking with her daughter and reviewing her phone.

Concerned for her safety, the mother immediately went to the location where her daughter was and found her in a state of emotional distress, collapsing into her arms. The mother then contacted the police, who responded swiftly. Officers attended Figures’ residence in Linwood, armed with a search warrant, and seized his mobile phone. During the search, they also discovered a gas-powered air rifle stored under his bed at a property on Kintyre Avenue.

Figures was taken into custody and questioned about the messages sent to the young girl. He claimed that the messages were merely a joke, a statement that did little to mitigate the severity of his actions. Subsequently, he was charged with intentionally sending messages to a minor for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification or causing humiliation or distress, and with possessing an unregistered air weapon.

At a pre-trial hearing, Figures pleaded guilty to the charges. He admitted to sending the explicit messages and possessing the air rifle without the proper registration certificate. The court heard that he would be subject to notification requirements under the Sexual Offenders’ Act, with the period of notification to be determined at a future date.

Sheriff Tom McCartney emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “All options remain open to the court, and given the nature of the charges, you will be subject to notification requirements under the Sexual Offenders’ Act.”

Figures is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on April 17, where his fate will be decided. The case has raised concerns within the Linwood community about safety and the importance of safeguarding minors from exploitation and harm.