PORTLETHEN MAN SENTENCES FOR ONLINE CHILD SEXUAL MESSAGING
Ian Robertson, a 38-year-old man from Portlethen, was found guilty after he engaged in a series of disturbing online communications with an undercover police officer posing as a 13-year-old girl.The court heard that Robertson initially added the decoy on Snapchat on July 11, 2023, and shortly after, began a sexualized conversation.
He introduced himself and expressed affection, saying things like "I adore you" and asked for videos and voice messages, making inappropriate comments about his desires and intentions.
Robertson discussed meeting up, suggested staying in a hotel, and described having children together.
He also sent explicit images and messages, including responses implying he wished to be her first love and talking about intimate acts.
Over the course of the exchanges, he asked for more images, discussed sex explicitly, and made plans to have a relationship, including moving to London.
The police were alerted when the decoy profile cut contact, leading to Robertson’s arrest on October 3, 2023.
During court proceedings at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Robertson pleaded guilty to sending sexual messages to what he believed was a minor.
The judge sentenced him to a two-year supervision order, 150 hours of unpaid work, and ordered he complete the Aberdeenshire Sex Offenders Programme.
He is also to be registered as a sex offender for two years and is prohibited from having any internet-enabled devices without declaration, as well as approaching or communicating with anyone under 18 without prior approval.
The court expressed concern over Robertson’s continued engagement despite recognizing the inappropriateness of his actions and noted his remorse and shame.
