Elgin man placed on Sex Offender’s Register after police officer posed as 14-year-old girl in online chat room

A MAN from Elgin has been placed on the Sex Offender’s Register after he admitted to sending indecent communications to an undercover police officer who posed as a 14-year-old girl in an online chat room.

Inverness Sheriff Court heard that Edward Russell demanded indecent photos and videos of the “girl” and other users he met in the teenager’s chat room.

The court also heard that the 27-year-old, of Meadow Crescent, used WhatsApp to communicate indecently between September 13, 2023 and September 21, 2023.

Fiscal depute Emily Hood told Sheriff Sara Matheson that this enabled police to trace his mobile number and he was arrested.

The court heard that Russell's phone was also seized and two indecent images were found - one of a 14 year old girl posing erotically and another of an adult female having sexual intercourse with a boy aged between three and five.

He had also sent photographs of himself, an erect male penis and also images of masturbation.

Russell admitted to sending indecent communications and possessing indecent images.

He had his sentence deferred for a background report and restriction of liberty assessment.

He had bail continued until August 27 and was placed immediately on the Sex Offender's Register.