DARREN WHYTE FROM FIFE AND ABERDEEN JAILED FOR CONTACTING CHILD ON ILLEGAL PHONE

A man with a troubling criminal history from Fife has been sentenced to prison once again after admitting to illicitly contacting a minor via text message using a phone he was not authorized to possess. Darren Whyte, aged 35, who previously resided in Cupar and now lives on Victoria Road in Torry, was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) issued last year at Dundee Sheriff Court. Despite this, Whyte relocated to Aberdeen, citing harassment as the reason for his move, which appeared to be an attempt to escape the restrictions imposed on him.

Under the terms of his SHPO, Whyte was explicitly prohibited from possessing a mobile device without informing his supervising officers and was also barred from making contact with anyone under the age of 18 without written consent. However, during a court appearance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Whyte admitted to having a concealed phone and using it to communicate with a 13-year-old child.

The court was informed that law enforcement officers, during a routine search of Whyte’s residence on January 30 of this year, discovered a basic mobile phone that lacked internet capabilities. When officers returned to his address on February 5, they found that Whyte had acquired a new Samsung phone, which he had attempted to hide from authorities. Whyte confessed to using this device to reach out to individuals on social media whom he believed to be 13 or 14 years old. The prosecution’s case, presented by Fiscal depute Brian Young, revealed that Whyte had received messages from someone claiming to be 13 years old, and he responded, also claiming to be the same age. Importantly, the court noted that there was no evidence of sexual content within these messages.

Whyte’s defense lawyer, Lee Qumsieh, acknowledged his client’s cooperation but admitted that Whyte should not have been communicating with minors. He explained that Whyte had moved to Aberdeen after facing difficulties at his previous address, where his past convictions had become known, leading to harassment. Mr. Qumsieh stated, “He wanted a fresh start in the North East. He was lonely and got the phone so he could speak to people. He accepts he was in breach of the terms of the order – he is subject to this rather stringent order for seven years.”

The court was also informed that Whyte’s criminal record included eight different complainants and an online decoy. In September of the previous year, Whyte attempted to pay £15 in exchange for indecent images, believing he was communicating with a minor. Additionally, he was caught hiding a prohibited smartphone in his trousers after lying to staff at a homeless accommodation facility.

Sheriff William Summers emphasized the seriousness of the offense, stating, “This is a serious offence. The order prevents you from having a phone or contacting children – you have breached both these conditions.” Concluding the case, the sheriff sentenced Whyte to 20 months in prison, with the sentence backdated to February 2, when he was initially remanded in custody.