DEAN ANDREWS FROM DUNDEE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND DISTRIBUTION OF INDECENT IMAGES
In February 2017, Dean Andrews, a resident of Dundee, became the subject of a serious criminal investigation following disturbing online communications with a young girl.The incident came to light after the girl’s mother reported the matter to local authorities, concerned about the nature of the messages her daughter had received.
It was revealed that Andrews had added the ten-year-old girl on the popular messaging platform WhatsApp, although the exact method by which he obtained her mobile number remains unclear.
Once connected, Andrews sent inappropriate and suggestive messages, including phrases such as "hey sexy, coming on WhatsApp today?
x," and persistently inquired about her age, specifically asking when she would turn 11.
The young girl, understandably distressed, showed her mother the messages, prompting immediate action.
Law enforcement officials swiftly traced Andrews, who has a known history of convictions related to child sex offences.
A search of his mobile devices uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images and videos depicting children.
During the investigation, police examined his phone and discovered a total of 191 indecent images and 11 videos, many of which were classified at the highest levels of depravity, indicating severe exploitation.
During police interviews, Andrews admitted to receiving and viewing images sent by contacts on Kik Messenger, another messaging platform.
His admission further implicated him in the possession and distribution of illicit material involving minors.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, prosecutor Kirsten Thomson detailed the findings, stating that the girl knew Andrews as ‘Deano’ and that she had been in contact with him via WhatsApp after he added her.
She expressed uncertainty about how Andrews obtained her contact details.
The police investigation confirmed the presence of numerous indecent images and videos on Andrews’ devices, which included material of a highly disturbing nature.
Andrews, aged 29, pleaded guilty to charges under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act, including the possession and distribution of indecent images of children.
His defence solicitor, John Boyle, acknowledged Andrews’ previous convictions of a similar nature and noted that he had been on bail under strict conditions prior to sentencing.
Judge Alastair Carmichael sentenced Andrews to two years in prison and ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders register for a period of ten years, reflecting the gravity of his offences and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.
