CHRISTOPHER KENNEDY CAUGHT NEAR LONG CALDERWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL IN NEVILLE

In April 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Christopher Kennedy, a man living in Neville, who was caught in a covert operation conducted by paedophile hunters. The sting took place near East Kilbride, specifically targeting Kennedy, who was found to be residing just yards from Long Calderwood Primary School, raising serious concerns about the safety of local children.

Kennedy, aged 31 at the time, admitted to engaging in a series of heinous online activities. He confessed to sending vile messages and explicit sexual images to an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old girl. These messages were exchanged over a period from June 22 to July 27, 2018, and included the sending of indecent images and links to pornographic websites. The disturbing exchanges also involved Kennedy sending a photograph of himself performing a sex act, further highlighting the severity of his actions.

The investigation was initiated when paedophile hunters from the group ‘United 4 the Kids’ identified Kennedy’s online activity. Under the guise of a courier, the vigilante group streamed their sting live online, revealing Kennedy’s address in Neville. When law enforcement arrived at his residence, his mother answered the door. She was heard questioning her son, asking, “you haven’t, have you?” before police officers intervened and took Kennedy into custody.

During police questioning, Kennedy largely remained silent, offering no comments to most questions. However, he did acknowledge recognizing the username used by the decoy and admitted to being on a dating website. It was revealed that Kennedy initially made contact with the decoy on an adult dating and gaming site, claiming to be 30 years old. The decoy, posing as a 14-year-old girl from the UK, initiated the conversation, which quickly turned sexual after exchanging mobile numbers and moving to WhatsApp.

Throughout the conversations, Kennedy’s messages became increasingly explicit. He asked the decoy for a picture, which she sent, prompting Kennedy to respond with “nice and sexy.” He also sent links to pornographic sites and a picture of himself performing a sex act. Kennedy repeatedly asked the decoy intimate questions, including whether she wanted to be his girlfriend when she was older, and expressed a desire to send her pornographic videos, suggesting she masturbate while watching.

Legal proceedings took place at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where Kennedy faced charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor. He pleaded guilty to sending messages of a sexual nature and to transmitting explicit images, including a video of himself. The court heard that Kennedy used five different mobile numbers during the exchanges, including his mother’s, although his online username remained consistent.

Depute fiscal Liza Lann described Kennedy’s actions as twisted, noting that he has Asperger’s syndrome. The sheriff, David Bickett, deferred sentencing until June 11, pending a risk assessment. Kennedy was granted bail, with conditions that included residence at a property directly opposite Long Calderwood Primary School, and he was placed on the sex offenders’ register in the meantime, reflecting the serious nature of his offenses and the potential risk posed to the community.