ABERDEEN PAEDOPHILE MICHAEL CUTHILL CAUGHT IN ONLINE TRAP BY CHILD PROTECTION GROUPS
In June 2021, a disturbing case unfolded in Aberdeen involving Michael Cuthill, a man who was lured into a trap set by online child protection organizations.The incident began when Cuthill, aged 59, initiated contact with what he believed was a 13-year-old girl on the popular dating app Badoo.
Unbeknownst to him, he was actually communicating with members of a vigilant online child safety group operating under the aliases Keeping Kids Safe, Forbidden Scotland, and Hunting Online Predators Everyday (HOPE).
One of the groups involved created a fake profile on Badoo, posing as a young girl, whose real name has not been disclosed to protect ongoing investigations.
Using the pseudonym Michael Johnson, Cuthill engaged in initial casual conversations with the decoy, which remained non-sexual at first.
However, despite being repeatedly told that the girl was only 13 years old, Cuthill continued to send messages that grew increasingly inappropriate and sexual in nature.
He requested the decoy’s mobile number, prompting the conversation to shift to WhatsApp, where the exchanges became more explicit.
Cuthill asked about her relationship status and made suggestive comments, including a message stating, “I could wait for you until you’re old enough.
Lol.
xxx.” He also discussed the possibility of meeting her, suggesting they go for a walk, and expressed a desire to make her a Valentine’s Day card, claiming she was his “best friend.” As the messages escalated, Cuthill explicitly expressed his wish to have children with the girl, stating, “I would love to have babies with you.
Lol.
Xxx,” and further asked if she would like to meet in person.
He proposed the idea of them being in bed together someday and continued to ask for sexual photographs, requesting her to send a picture of herself and then delete it.
The decoy refused to comply with this request.
Throughout the conversation, Cuthill also sent images of his face and bare chest, along with explicit images of his genitals.
He made suggestive comments such as, “Would you like to rub your hands over my chest?” and continued to send sexual messages despite being reminded that the girl was only 13.
He also discussed protected sex and kissing, further demonstrating his inappropriate intentions.
In addition to the explicit messages, Cuthill sent a photograph of his genitals and made further sexual propositions.
The conversation eventually turned toward arranging a physical meeting.
Cuthill planned to travel by bus to Stirling to meet the decoy, but he ultimately backed out at the last minute, claiming that the girl was too young.
On February 22, 2020, the groups involved shared the chat logs with the police and other child protection organizations.
Members of Forbidden Scotland then confronted Cuthill at his home in Fullerton Court, Woodside, Aberdeen, while live streaming the encounter on Facebook.
During the confrontation, Cuthill was shown the evidence of his communications with the decoy and was subsequently arrested.
During police interviews, Cuthill admitted to communicating with the decoy, believing she was a 13-year-old girl.
However, he denied any sexual attraction to children.
He pleaded guilty to attempting to cause a child under 16 to view a sexual image by sending a photo of his genitals on February 20, 2020.
Additionally, he admitted to attempting to communicate indecently with a child under 16 between February 7 and February 23, 2020.
The offences took place at his residence in Westhill or elsewhere.
Sheriff Margaret Hodge deferred sentencing until July to allow for reports to be prepared.
She also ordered that Cuthill be subject to the notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions and the ongoing efforts to protect children from such predatory behavior.
