SCOTT BEGG FROM GLASGOW AND TILLICOULTRY JAILED FOR ONLINE PREDATION OF 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Glasgow and Tillicoultry, Scott Begg, a 24-year-old man, was sentenced to prison for engaging in a disturbing online relationship with a 13-year-old girl. The incident unfolded over a period of ten days, during which Begg communicated with the young girl through various digital platforms, including social networking sites, instant messaging, and email.

It was revealed that the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, initially joined a dating website claiming to be 19 years old. Begg, who was residing in Glasgow at the time but also had connections to Tillicoultry, began chatting with her shortly after her registration. Unaware of her true age, Begg was initially led to believe she was an older teenager, and their conversations quickly became inappropriate.

According to court records, the girl eventually confided in Begg that she was only 13. Despite this revelation, Begg reportedly responded with comments that trivialized her age, telling her that "age was just a number" and complimenting her appearance, which he claimed looked older than her actual age. He also encouraged her to sleep with boys her own age, seemingly dismissing the seriousness of her youth.

Throughout their online exchanges, Begg requested and received indecent photographs from the girl. She sent him images of herself, which he accepted as a compliment, and he continued to ask her about her sexual experiences. He even inquired whether she would perform oral sex on him and suggested that she sleep over at a friend's house with other boys, urging her to consider meeting him in person at a hotel in Edinburgh.

The court heard that Begg's actions were not merely fantasy; he actively sought to exploit the young girl, taking advantage of her vulnerability. His conduct was described as "utterly inappropriate" by Sheriff Alastair Brown, who presided over the case at Alloa Sheriff Court. The sheriff emphasized that Begg's behavior was a clear violation of boundaries and a serious breach of trust.

Legal proceedings revealed that Begg had pleaded guilty to intentionally engaging in written communication of a sexual nature with a minor. The communication took place between April 12 and April 22 of the previous year, with Begg operating from his home in Glasgow and his parents' residence in Tillicoultry. The court also learned that Begg's actions culminated in the police tracing him after the girl confided in a school staff member about their relationship.

Following his conviction, Begg was sentenced to 34 weeks in prison. Additionally, Sheriff Brown ordered him to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of ten years. During the sentencing, the sheriff condemned the actions, stating, "It has been said this was all fantasy but obtaining the photographs was not. You told her she was a free spirit and that age was just a number and not to be confined by rules. She was a child and you were taking advantage of her."

As Begg was led away from the courtroom, members of the public gallery shouted "beast" in protest. The sheriff responded to the outburst by reminding the audience that Begg had committed a crime, had been brought to justice, and was now serving his sentence. He emphasized that community persecution was neither appropriate nor justified, asserting that Begg was paying his legal penalty for his actions.