JAMES KELLY FROM COATBRIDGE AND FIFE SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND ATTEMPTED MEETINGS WITH UNDERAGE GIRLS

A man with a disturbing history of predatory behavior has been sentenced to prison after attempting to engage in illegal activities involving minors in the towns of Coatbridge and Fife. James Kelly, aged 55, was found guilty of grooming a 14-year-old girl with whom he had been communicating online, as well as attempting to meet her in person for sexual purposes.

Kelly’s illicit online activities spanned several weeks during the summer months, during which he believed he was corresponding with two underage girls. One of these girls was just 12 years old. His conversations with the girls included explicit messages and inappropriate propositions. Kelly arranged to meet the 14-year-old girl at the Showcase leisure park, a popular local venue, with the intent of engaging in sexual activity.

In a further act of misconduct, Kelly sent a video of himself performing a sexual act to the 14-year-old girl, despite her having clearly stated her age. His messages also included disturbing questions directed at the other girl, such as, “should I strip for you?” and “should I get naked on Snapchat?” He also made a sinister comment, saying, “Maybe one day you can show me,” which underscored his grooming intentions.

Unbeknownst to Kelly, he was not communicating with vulnerable minors but was actually speaking to an adult member of the vigilante group Wolf Pack Hunters UK. This organization operates by creating fake online profiles of children to lure potential predators. Once a suspect is identified, the group confronts them and then reports their activities to law enforcement authorities.

On August 4 of the previous year, several members of Wolf Pack Hunters UK confronted Kelly in Kirkwood, challenging him about his illegal intentions. A video recording of the confrontation, which has garnered nearly 250,000 views, shows Kelly breaking down in tears after initially attempting to maintain a bravado. In the footage, he protests, “I’ve done nothing wrong,” despite the clear evidence against him.

Despite the overwhelming evidence and his guilty plea, Kelly maintained a controversial stance, claiming he has “no attraction” to children. His defense solicitor, during his sentencing at Airdrie Sheriff Court, explained that Kelly is originally from Glasgow but has since moved to Fife following the incident. The solicitor stated that Kelly’s life has been profoundly affected by these events, noting that he has three adult children and a sister who have severed all contact with him. Kelly is described as an isolated individual, suffering from loneliness since his separation from his wife.

The defense argued that Kelly recognizes the seriousness of his actions and expressed a desire to seek help under supervision, hoping for a community-based disposal rather than imprisonment. They also emphasized that there had been no prior sexual complaints against him and that he was willing to fully cooperate with community orders.

However, the presiding Sheriff, Frank Pieri, emphasized the gravity of the charges. He stated, “I’ve heard everything that can be said for you but the fact remains that these are very serious charges. Nothing I read in the report leads me to believe I can deal with this in any way other than by a custodial sentence.”

Kelly was sentenced to 14 months in prison, a reduction from the 18 months that could have been imposed, due to his guilty plea. Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender for the next 10 years, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the potential risk to the community.