A paedophile who sent indecent messages to a girl he thought was 13- but who was in actual fact an undercover police officer- has dodged a jail term.
Hugh Wilson sent the messages to the decoy teenager over a four-day period from a property in Troon.
Depraved Wilson, 58 of Ayr, used the mobile messaging app, Kik, to send repeated communications, which were of an indecent and sexual nature, to the girl, called ‘Abbey.’
But the messages were, in fact, received by an undercover law enforcement officer, leading to Wilson’s arrest.
His behaviour was described by a sheriff as “repugnant” and “simply awful.”
Wilson, aside from a previous minor road traffic manner, was a first offender and appeared on indictment at Ayr Sheriff Court on Thursday, November 28 for sentencing- after previously admitting two charges.
He pleaded guilty to repeatedly sending indecent communications to a child he believed was 13 via Kik Messenger, messages that were of an incident and sexual nature.
The offence took place between August 20 and August 23 last year, both dates inclusive, at a property in Lochlea Avenue, Troon.
Wilson further admitted a breach of his bail conditions.
Wilson must undertake a community payback order which includes supervision for three years.
He must also attend the Moving Forward, Making Changes programme- a behavioural programme designed to provide treatment for men who commit sexual offences, or offences with a sexual element.
In addition he must carry out 300 hours of unpaid work in the community within the next 12 months and comply with a conduct requirement, which means he cannot be in contact with anyone under the age of 17 unless he is supervised.
Wilson is also prohibited from using an electronic device, such as a computer or mobile phone, if it does not have internet history capacity.
He was also tagged and placed under a Restriction of Liberty Order, which means he must be at his home address between 7pm and 7am for the next 12 months. Wilson was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ register for the next five years.
Defence solicitor Tony Currie told the court an online paedophile hunters group had taken “interest” in Wilson, adding: “A certain organisation (Wolf Pack) have taken a keen interest in him. In the last two occasions this case was called they were represented- and they were abusive towards him as he left the court building.”
Imposing the CPO Sheriff Scott Pattison told Wilson: “For the avoidance of any doubt, your conduct was repugnant and simply awful.”
