SUNDERLAND MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ONLINE CHILD GROOMING ATTEMPT
A Sunderland man with the name Scott McNay has admitted to attempting to engage in sexual communication with two children.McNay, aged 35, believed he was chatting online with two separate underage girls—one claiming to be 13 from London, and the other claiming to be 14 from Bradford.
Unbeknownst to him, both profiles were set up by enforcement groups or supposed decoys.
The Newcastle Magistrates' Court heard that McNay thought he was talking to a 13-year-old girl, and during the conversations from February 25 to March 1, he expressed sexual interests, stating he wanted to see her knickers, breasts, and private parts.
He also sent explicit images, including a photo of his face and his genitals, stating he was performing a sex act and even urinating.
Furthermore, he sent a message to what he believed was a 14-year-old girl asking to see her breasts, which she responded to with "That's rude, I'm 14." He continued to ask "Can I see your t**s?" and sent a photographic ID of his Nexus bus card as part of the chat.
The conversation was ultimately reported to police and captured as evidence.
McNay, of Summerhill, Middle Herrington, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.
The court was informed that sentencing should take place at the Crown Court, not within the magistrates' court, as the charges were of a serious nature.
His legal representation acknowledged that the case was appropriate for sentencing at the higher court.
His appearance in court included a hearing where the judge, Nick Hooker, reminded him that he would need to be sentenced officially at the Crown Court in Newcastle on August 8th, and if he failed to appear, he could be accused of another offence.
Additionally, McNay was instructed to register as a sex offender at the nearest police station within three days of his court date.
This case highlights the dangers of online grooming and the importance of law enforcement's role in protecting minors from predators.
