A 62-year-old Perth resident, Peter Moffat, has been sentenced in Perth Sheriff Court for attempting to engage in sexual communication with someone he believed to be a 13-year-old girl. The court heard how Moffat used online platforms, including Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, to send explicit messages and images to the individual, who was actually an adult member of a paedophile hunter group. This online sting operation ultimately led to Moffat’s arrest and subsequent prosecution. Sheriff Condemns Moffat’s Actions
Sheriff David Hall described Moffat’s offences as “extremely serious” and stressed that Moffat bore sole responsibility for the repercussions of his actions. The court was informed that Moffat’s life had undergone significant changes as a direct result of the case, a point acknowledged by Moffat’s solicitor, David Holmes. Despite this, Sheriff Hall emphasized that Moffat “only has himself to blame” for the disruption and consequences he now faces. Sentence Details
Moffat pled guilty at a pre-trial hearing to attempting to communicate indecently with a child and attempting to cause a child to view a sexual image. Sheriff Hall, acknowledging the early guilty plea, handed down a sentence that included a five-year placement on the sex offenders register, a community payback order with 250 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 18 months, and supervision by social workers during this period. The sheriff stated that this sentence was a direct alternative to a custodial sentence, underscoring the severity of the crime. The court detailed how Moffat, during his online exchanges, requested indecent images from the decoy profile and sent explicit photos, including images of a penis. Moffat, during his police interview, claimed he didn’t believe the profile belonged to a 13-year-old because the photos appeared to depict an older person. He also expressed feelings of embarrassment and shame about his actions. The incidents occurred between October 25 and November 1 of the previous year. Moffat, who lives on Market Street, now has this conviction added to his criminal record. This case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers lurking online, particularly for vulnerable young people in our community. It highlights the importance of ongoing vigilance and education around online safety, a crucial message for families and individuals across Perth and Kinross. Local organizations, such as the Perth and Kinross Council’s Child Protection Team, offer resources and support for parents and young people on these matters. For further information, residents can access online materials through the council’s website or attend workshops that provide support and guidance from community support professionals. These programs provide invaluable tools and resources for promoting safe online practices and offer strategies for dealing with any related concerns.
Sheriff David Hall described Moffat’s offences as “extremely serious” and stressed that Moffat bore sole responsibility for the repercussions of his actions. The court was informed that Moffat’s life had undergone significant changes as a direct result of the case, a point acknowledged by Moffat’s solicitor, David Holmes. Despite this, Sheriff Hall emphasized that Moffat “only has himself to blame” for the disruption and consequences he now faces. Sentence Details
Moffat pled guilty at a pre-trial hearing to attempting to communicate indecently with a child and attempting to cause a child to view a sexual image. Sheriff Hall, acknowledging the early guilty plea, handed down a sentence that included a five-year placement on the sex offenders register, a community payback order with 250 hours of unpaid work to be completed within 18 months, and supervision by social workers during this period. The sheriff stated that this sentence was a direct alternative to a custodial sentence, underscoring the severity of the crime. The court detailed how Moffat, during his online exchanges, requested indecent images from the decoy profile and sent explicit photos, including images of a penis. Moffat, during his police interview, claimed he didn’t believe the profile belonged to a 13-year-old because the photos appeared to depict an older person. He also expressed feelings of embarrassment and shame about his actions. The incidents occurred between October 25 and November 1 of the previous year. Moffat, who lives on Market Street, now has this conviction added to his criminal record. This case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers lurking online, particularly for vulnerable young people in our community. It highlights the importance of ongoing vigilance and education around online safety, a crucial message for families and individuals across Perth and Kinross. Local organizations, such as the Perth and Kinross Council’s Child Protection Team, offer resources and support for parents and young people on these matters. For further information, residents can access online materials through the council’s website or attend workshops that provide support and guidance from community support professionals. These programs provide invaluable tools and resources for promoting safe online practices and offer strategies for dealing with any related concerns.