HUGH WILSON FROM AYR CAUGHT IN UNDERCOVER POLICE STING INVOLVING TROON CHILD
In December 2019, Hugh Wilson, a resident of Ayr, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation after he was caught attempting to engage in inappropriate communications with a girl he believed to be only 13 years old.The incident unfolded over a span of four days, during which Wilson used the messaging application Kik to send a series of indecent and sexual messages to what he thought was a teenage girl.
However, the individual on the other end of the messages was actually an undercover police officer operating a decoy account, designed to catch individuals attempting to exploit minors.
Wilson, aged 58, was living in Ayr at the time of the offense, which took place at a property located on Lochlea Avenue in Troon.
The messages, which were of a highly inappropriate and sexual nature, were sent between August 20 and August 23 of the previous year.
The police investigation revealed that Wilson had been communicating with the decoy girl, named ‘Abbey,’ through Kik Messenger, a popular mobile messaging app.
His repeated attempts to contact her and the content of the messages were deemed by authorities to be deeply depraved and unacceptable.
Following his arrest, Wilson appeared before Ayr Sheriff Court on Thursday, November 28, to face sentencing.
He had previously admitted to two charges related to his conduct.
Notably, Wilson was a first-time offender, with only a minor previous record involving a road traffic matter.
His guilty plea was entered for the charges of repeatedly sending indecent communications to a minor he believed to be 13, with the messages being of an incident and sexual nature.
The court also heard that Wilson had breached his bail conditions prior to sentencing.
In response to his actions, the court imposed a comprehensive set of penalties and restrictions.
Wilson was ordered to complete a community payback order, which includes supervision for a period of three years.
He is also required to attend the 'Moving Forward, Making Changes' programme, a behavioral treatment course aimed at addressing sexual offending behavior.
Additionally, Wilson must undertake 300 hours of unpaid community work within the next 12 months and adhere to strict conduct requirements, including a prohibition on contact with anyone under the age of 17 unless supervised.
Further restrictions include a ban on using electronic devices such as computers or mobile phones that do not have internet history tracking capabilities.
Wilson was also fitted with an electronic tag and placed under a Restriction of Liberty Order, which mandates that he remains at his home address between 7pm and 7am for the following year.
To ensure ongoing monitoring, he was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a period of five years.
During the court proceedings, defence solicitor Tony Currie mentioned that a group known as Wolf Pack, a paedophile hunters organization, had taken an interest in Wilson.
He stated, “A certain organisation (Wolf Pack) have taken a keen interest in him.
In the last two occasions this case was called they were represented—and they were abusive towards him as he left the court building.” Sheriff Scott Pattison, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of Wilson’s conduct, describing it as “repugnant” and “simply awful,” and confirmed the various restrictions and orders that Wilson must adhere to moving forward, including his placement on the sex offenders’ register for five years.
REPEAT OFFENDER HUGH WILSON JAILED FOR COMMUNICATING WITH WHAT HE BELIVED TO BE A 14 YEAR OLD GIRL Hugh Wilson appeared before the town’s sheriff court after admitting to sending sexual messages to someone he believed was a child.
The 64-year-old was caught in a sting operation organized by an online child protection group, who broadcast the encounter live on social media.
Wilson had previously escaped prison for a similar offence, but when he returned to court last week he was jailed.
However, because of the time he has already spent in custody, he is expected to be released soon.
It was previously reported that Wilson, now an inmate at HMP Kilmarnock, had allowed members of the volunteer group to tour his flat on Craigie Avenue, Ayr.
This was livestreamed on the Against Sexual Abuse (ASA Scotland) Facebook page.
In court, the prosecutor explained that Wilson had been communicating with a decoy account run by a volunteer posing as a 14-year-old girl.
The group maintains multiple social media profiles to catch potential offenders.
Wilson initiated contact, complimenting the supposed teenager and asking how she would feel if he called her cute.
When she revealed she was 14, Wilson said he was 63 but continued chatting, acknowledging her age multiple times.
He told her that if he were younger, he would ask her on a date, asked if he could adopt her, and suggested they could run away together.
Between October 16 and November 6, 2024, Wilson exchanged numerous highly sexual messages with the account, referring to himself as “daddy.” He encouraged sexual behavior, asked explicit questions, and made inappropriate suggestions.
He also sent photos of his possessions, including his guitar and tablet, even offering to buy her one if she was “a good girl for daddy.” On November 6, the group confronted him at his home and livestreamed the meeting before contacting police, who arrested him.
Officers seized multiple devices, which are set to be destroyed.
Sheriff Scott Pattison noted in court that he believed police and prosecutors had previously discouraged such groups from confronting suspects at home, and asked for the matter to be reviewed.
Wilson’s lawyer, Tony Currie, said discussions with his client were difficult due to Wilson’s poor health and quiet demeanor.
Currie suggested the offending may not have been sexually motivated, though he acknowledged the seriousness of the case.
He asked the court to consider the lengthy time Wilson had already spent on remand.
The Sheriff, however, ruled that a prison term was the only fitting punishment, stating: “The offence must be marked for its seriousness.” Wilson received a 16-month custodial sentence, backdated to the start of his remand.
He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, barring him from intentional contact with anyone under 18, and was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
Well done to Scottish Child Protection Team - Against Sexual Abuse for getting this predator off the streets!
