Inverness pensioner sent sexual messages to paedophile hunters posing as children
An Inverness pensioner was caught in a "sting" operation by different members of three paedophile hunter groups after he communicated with their decoys thinking they were children under 16.
Raymond Paterson, of Kenneth Street, Inverness appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court and admitted four charges of indecent communications with children which occurred between March 1, 2023 and June 11, 2023.
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Sentence was deferred until October 22 for a background report and the 70-year-old had his bail continued.
His solicitor advocate Shahid Latif told Sheriff Ian Cruickshank: "During that period of 20 days, a malaise had overtaken him. As he is a first offender, a report will be required."
The court heard Paterson sent the people posing as children messages of a sexual nature. The decoys confronted him on June 11 at his home after his wife had answered the door.
The court heard that Paterson asked them to move as he talked to them so the neighbours wouldn't hear.
Fiscal depute Susan Love said that police were then subsequently informed and he was arrested.
"He told officers that he had no intention of meeting them," she said.
Paterson was immediately placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.