MATTHEW FRANCIS SENTENCED IN BANFF FOR SENDING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MESSAGES TO UNDERCOVER POLICE OFFICER

In June 2017, Matthew Francis, a 34-year-old from Dalgaty Terrace, Turriff, was sentenced at Banff Sheriff Court after admitting to sending sexually explicit messages and nude photos to an undercover police officer he believed was a 13-year-old girl.

Francis had engaged in a series of messages with someone he thought was a minor, but in reality, he was communicating with an undercover officer. Throughout the hearing, he wore sunglasses and was subsequently ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register for one year and given a supervision order for the same period.

Sheriff Philip Mann emphasized the seriousness of the offence, stating, “This is a serious offence. You sent these to a person who was pretending to be a 13-year-old girl. The fact is, you thought you were communicating with a 13-year-old girl and that is concerning.”

The messages were exchanged between November of the previous year and January of this year, originating from various locations, including Francis’s residence.

Sheriff Mann noted that prison time would have been justified if the victim had been genuinely distressed or if a child had been involved. He also warned Francis that failure to complete his six-month work order could result in returning to court, with the possibility of a custodial sentence.

Police authorities stated last night that they were unable to comment further on the ongoing investigation into Francis.