A paedophile who was caught sending explicit messages to what he thought was a 13-year-old girl denied there was a sexual motivation behind the texts.
Alistair Urquhart told the ‘girl’ he wanted to be naked with her during the conversation on WhatsApp and also that he wanted to kiss and cuddle her.
Urquhart’s target was actually a member of the Hampshire Predator Hunters – who confronted him at his work and called the police.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told 54-year-old bachelor Urquhart admitted the offence, which occurred between April 27, 2019 and June 3, 2019. It was committed in his home at Water Furrows and at a local bar.
Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told the court that the paedophile hunter 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.
‘He was not truthful’
Ms Eastwood said: “Communications became increasingly sexualized 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: “It was out of shame, fear and embarrassment he was not truthful to the author of the background report where he denied sexual motivation.
“But he does accept he was exceptionally sexually motivated. At least there was not a 13-year-old victim in this.”
Sheriff Sara 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. He was also placed on the sex offender’s 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.
‘Sentences do not reflect the severity of the crime’
One of the members of the team behind the sting – who only wanted to be known as Dave – said: “The sentences handed down to Alistair Urquhart do not reflect the severity of the crime. He was grooming and arranged to meet what he believed to be a 13-year-old for the purpose of raping her.
“The justice system needs to be reviewed with regards online predators in making the sentencing fit the crime.
“The team (Carly, Tracy and myself) and the police did an amazing job in getting him arrested and into court and we will continue to protect our children from online predators.”
