DAVID CORRIGAN FROM MOTHERWELL CAUGHT IN UNDERCOVER POLICE STING IN MANCHESTER

In a disturbing case that highlights ongoing concerns about online child exploitation, David Corrigan, a 34-year-old resident of Motherwell, has been brought back into custody after being caught in an undercover police operation. Corrigan, who has a troubling history of sexual offenses involving minors, was found to have engaged in illicit online communications with a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl from Manchester named Niamh.

According to court records, Corrigan initiated contact through internet messaging platforms, where he made inappropriate and alarming statements. He sent a message saying, “Hi! I’m 32 from UK Scotland. Do you like older men? I love little girls,” and subsequently requested photographs from the girl, further demonstrating his predatory intent. These messages were part of a police sting operation, with an undercover officer in England creating the fake profile to lure offenders like Corrigan into revealing their intentions.

Authorities confirmed that Corrigan admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl during the period from December 2016 to May 2017. His arrest took place at his home in Motherwell, Lanarkshire, after the police acted on intelligence gathered from the operation. The police intervention was part of a broader effort to combat online child abuse, which has become a significant concern for law enforcement agencies across the UK.

Corrigan’s criminal history is extensive and deeply troubling. In 2010, he was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of sending sexual images to a girl via webcam. He served two years of that sentence before being released on license in September 2012. His release was conditional, and he was ordered to undergo supervision for an additional eight years. During his time in custody, authorities discovered that Corrigan possessed more than 18,000 indecent images of children on his computer and iPod, along with hundreds of videos depicting child abuse. These findings underscore the severity of his offending and the ongoing risk he poses.

Despite his early release, Corrigan’s predatory behavior persisted. The court heard that he continued to engage in online chats with minors, using platforms such as Kik, a messaging app popular among young users. The police’s investigation revealed that Corrigan had been communicating with the fake profile of Niamh, believing her to be a 13-year-old girl from Manchester. The police had set up the profile as part of their covert operation, which was designed to identify and apprehend individuals attempting to exploit children online.

During the hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court, the prosecution outlined the details of Corrigan’s online activities. Depute fiscal Neil Thomson explained that Corrigan had been communicating with the undercover officer, who was operating under the alias of Niamh. The officer’s profile was created on the Kik platform, which is known for facilitating anonymous chats and making it easy for predators to target minors. Corrigan’s messages indicated a clear intent to pursue sexual communication with someone he believed was a young girl.

Judge Ray Small ordered Corrigan to remain in custody while awaiting further reports. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting Corrigan’s status as a registered sex offender with lifelong registration obligations. The court also acknowledged the importance of conducting a comprehensive risk assessment before proceeding with sentencing. Corrigan’s legal team did not contest a charge related to an incident where he allegedly threw part of a mobile phone out of a window to obstruct justice, which prosecutors accepted as a guilty plea.

This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling online child exploitation and the importance of vigilant monitoring of known offenders. Corrigan’s repeated offenses and possession of a vast collection of indecent images highlight the persistent threat posed by individuals with a history of sexual crimes against children.