Creep jailed for communicating indecently with 'child'

Angus MacLeod was handed the sentenced when he returned to Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Wednesday, October 9, having previously pleaded guilty to three charges in relation to child sexual offences.

During his last appearance, the 58-year-old admitted communicating indecently with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl between March 22 and 30 last year from his home address in Grouse Place in Kilmarnock and elsewhere.

He also confessed to attempting to meet the same person with the intention of engaging, during or after the meeting, in unlawful sexual activity with or in the presence of said person between March 22 and 31 last year.

The final charge saw MacLeod admit to being in possession of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children between March 14 and 31, 2023.

During his previous appearance, procurator fiscal depute Chris Munro told the court that MacLeod's behaviour came to light after a probe by Police Scotland which saw an officer purport their self online as a 13-year-old girl named Hannah King.

The investigation into MacLeod began on March 22 last year when a police officer made the decoy profile on a private online chat facility.

(Image: Unsplash)

That day, the profile connected with another called 'fun and games' - which was later found to be operated by the Kilmarnock man.

MacLeod openly engaged in a private chat with the profile, which was presented as a 13-year-old female - with his own showing his age to be 56 at that time.

Conversations started with the 58-year-old asking questions of the profile like “do you like older guys?” and asking where they stayed in Glasgow.

He also asked for the teen's username on social media platform Snapchat, where the conversation then moved.

In later days, the chats took a more sexual turn with MacLeod asking the profile questions like “what are you wearing under your leggings?” and making remarks about his reaction to her answer and asking “do you think you could help” with this.

He also posed further indecent questions in relation to 'Hannah', with statements referring to her bra size, and her previous sexual experiences.

Discussions were also had about the pair meeting, with the 58-year-old asking "what they would do if they met".

Further discussions were then had about MacLeod coming together with the chat profile, which led to a meeting being arranged at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, where the chat profile had earlier stated they were from.

In the following days the profile received images of the stadium as well as the nearby retail park, with MacLeod stating he "wanted to confirm where it was" before their planned meeting date on March 31.

(Image: Street View)

Further conversations saw the Kilmarnock man ask what 'Hannah' would be wearing during their meeting - with MacLeod stating she would “look great in leggings”.

The creep also asked what underwear she would be wearing that day, and responded “damn that’s sexy” to her reply.

Following the conversations, police were able to trace the IP address for the Snapchat profile to the property of MacLeod, and a search warrant was obtained for the address.

Officers attended on March 31 to carry out the warrant with police identifying the pervert man from non-offensive images he had sent of himself to the profile.

During the search a number of items were seized, in particular two phones, a laptop and a pack of ‘thongs’.

The following day, MacLeod - who was present at his home despite it being after the arranged meeting time - was interviewed by police and answered a number of questions.

He admitted to being responsible for sexual communications and stated that the thongs had been purchased to give to ‘Hannah’ at their meeting – and that he was hoping to be given her underwear in return.

He also confessed to “sexually fantasising" about young girls and having a ‘thing’ for underwear.

His phones were analysed at a later date and on one device the chats between himself and the profile operated by police were recovered.

MacLeod's second device was found to contain six indecent images of children.

Girls aged between 10 and 13 were depicted being subjected to sexual activity in the images, the court was told.

Defence solicitor Gillian Swanney said: "He has never offended before but this was quite inexplicable behaviour. It is clear there is some degree of planning with meeting up with the girl.

"He was in the house at the time of the meeting. He told police he had no intention of meeting her. He had seen sense and did not travel.

"Take into consideration that he shows a great deal of insight in relation to his offending behaviour and the effect this can have on victims of these types of offences. He is 'sick to his stomach' when he thinks about his offending."

Sheriff Colin Bissett said: “As you yourself can see, this is a serious matter. You thought you were engaging in discussions with a 13-year-old girl.

“The only thing that has saved you being arrested at the locus is you had a last minute change of heart and decided not to attend.

“This is not to your credit. The only saving grace in all of this is this was not actually a 13-year-old girl.

“Your conduct is disgraceful and more than merits the imposition of a custodial sentence. I am not persuaded there is an alternative.”

MacLeod was jailed for 58 weeks and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.