Aberlour man who sent sexual comments to ‘child’ was snared by undercover officer, Elgin Sheriff Court hears

A man from Aberlour has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register and ordered to carry out hours of unpaid work after being snared by an undercover officer posing as a child.

Between February 12 and February 19 last year, Josh Taylor sent written comments of a sexual nature to someone he believed to be a child under the age of 13.

However, the 22-year-old was really sending these comments to an undercover law enforcement officer.

He had discussed nude images and had instructed the ‘child’ on how to engage in masturbation.

Appearing for sentencing at Elgin Sheriff Court on Thursday, Taylor’s actions were described as “serious”.

Sheriff David Harvie, as a direct alternative to custody, placed Taylor under three years of supervision and placed him on the Sex Offenders Register for the same period.

He was also ordered to take part in the Moving Forward: Making Changes programme and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work within nine months.