Fortrose man caught by vigilante paedophile hunters spared prison sentence at Inverness Sheriff Court
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A Fortrose man who was snared by vigilante paedophile hunters in England told social workers that he was not sexually motivated by sending sexual communications to what he thought was a 13-year-old girl.
However with the threat of jail hanging over his head, 54-year-old Alistair Urquhart admitted through his defence solicitor Patrick O' Dea that he was.
Mr O'Dea explained to Sheriff Sara Matheson: "It was out of shame, fear and embarrassment that he was not truthful to the author of the background report and he now accepts he was sexually motivated."
Sentence had been deferred at Inverness Sheriff Court last month for the report and Urquhart learned his fate today.
The court had previously been told that Urquhart's target was actually an adult man who is a member of the Hampshire Predator Hunters.
He had admitted the offence which occurred between April 27, 2019 and June 3, 2019 and was committed in his home and a local bar.
Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told the court that the vigilante set up a fake account in the name of 'Kaisha' purporting to be a 13-year-old girl on an internet chat room and received a reply from Urquhart, asking 'her' age.
Despite being told "13 years of age", Urquhart sent his mobile phone number.
Ms Eastwood said: "Communications became increasingly sexualised with Urquhart stating 'you look fantastic sweetheart for your ages babes ok xxxx' and when asked 'what would you do if we were together?' he responds: 'kiss and cuddle with you sweetheart. Maybe more if you wanted to. Me and you naked together ok darling?'
"In late May 2019, 'Kaisha' told Urquhart that she was going to the campsite in Fortrose for a holiday with her auntie and arranged to meet up with him. On June 3, 2019, 'Kaisha' and other members of the group travelled to Fortrose and confronted Urquhart at his work. They recorded the meeting and contacted the police."
Defence solicitor Patrick O'Dea said: "He now does accept he was sexually motivated. At least there was not a 13-year-old victim in this."
Sheriff Matheson placed Urquhart on social work supervision for 24 months, instructed him to participate in a sex offender rehabilitation programme and 200 hours of unpaid work. She said it was an alternative to prison. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register for two years.
The sheriff said she was placing Urquhart on the order with some hesitation but did so because he was a low risk of re-offending and he was now accepting he was sexually motivated.
