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Duped Ross-shire sex predator who targeted child gets prison warning





Sheriff Gary Aitken said the previously convicted sex offender faces an 'exceedingly high' chance of prison.
Sheriff Gary Aitken said the previously convicted sex offender faces an 'exceedingly high' chance of prison.

An undercover police officer snared a sexual predator in Ross-shire by pretending to be a 14-year-old girl on a social media chat platform.

The charade fooled convicted 23-year-old sex offender Neil Ross of Heights of Achterneed, Strathpeffer who began communicating with the decoy after he set up a profile under the name of Sophie.

But when they moved to a more secure site, Ross's behaviour between January 31, 2024 and March 4, 2024, became more sexualised, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.

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Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh told Sheriff Gary Aitken he sent images of a naked penis on four occasions and "he asked to see under her pyjamas, telling her he was masturbating.

"He continued to communicate with Sophie until March 4 and then it ended."

The prosecutor said the officer sent a file to the Child Abuse Unit, and police arrested him. Ross's mobile phone was seized and it contained the indecent messages.

Ross admitted indecent communications as well as a previous conviction for downloading indecent images of children.

Sheriff Aitken said: "I am considering a Sexual harm Prevention Order. You have a relatively recent conviction for having indecent images and you have moved on to communicating with a child.

"There is an exceedingly high possibility of a significant custodial sentence but we will see what other options there are after I call for a background report."

Sentence was deferred until February 25 and Ross's bail was continued.He was again placed on the Sex Offender's Register.


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