Locations
Montgomerie Terrace, Ayr, South Ayrshire, KA7
Description
A sex offender caught sending indecent messages to a '13-year-old girl'—who was actually an undercover police officer—avoided jail upon returning to court.
Christopher Bradley, 55, received community service after admitting to sending sexual messages, including telling the 'child' he was a 'cuddler'.
He previously pleaded guilty to sending sexual communication to what he believed was a child aged 13-16 at his address in Montgomerie Terrace, Ayr, on August 21 last year.
Bradley admitted sending messages to a person he thought was a child, 'intentionally and for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification or of humiliating, distressing or alarming' them.
We previously reported that Bradley turned on his heels and bolted back inside the court building when pictured after pleading guilty at Ayr Sheriff Court in November.
The Procurator Fiscal depute said: “On August 21, 2024 an undercover online operative set up a profile on Snapchat.
“They came across [Bradley], [his] Snapchat was utilised with [his] mobile number to set up.
“He described himself as a 43-year-old male, thereafter the undercover officer described themself as a 13-year-old female.
“He said ‘13, you must be pretty open-minded’.”
The court heard that in conversations with the profile, Bradley called them 'princess' and himself a 'cuddler'.
He said he 'loved to touch and to be close to someone' and wanted to give her 'a cuddle'.
He also asked when her mum would be home and said 'wish you were here'.
The Crown prosecutor added: “When asked why he wished her there he replied ‘to make you feel nice’ and ‘I would love to be next to you now’.
“He said: ‘You will soon know how turned on’ he was. He stated ‘I’m turned on’ and asked ‘what are you wearing?’”
He was arrested after officers attended his property with a search warrant.
At sentencing, defence solicitor Glen Davis said: “Sentence was deferred and the accused cooperated with reports.
“Again it’s a situation that won’t require me to go through the report in detail. I would recommend the [social work report sentencing] recommendations and I have been through the requirements with him.”
Sheriff Maria Kicinski said: “I have listened to everything said and am satisfied there is an alternative to imprisonment possible in a community payback order with supervision for 18 months.”
Bradley was placed on further conduct requirements restricting his internet use and will remain a registered sex offender for 18 months.
The sheriff added that he must complete 120 hours of unpaid work, reduced from 180 hours.