A paedophile was trapped by vigilantes in a web based sting solely months after finishing a jail sentence for comparable offences.
Craig Edgeler despatched nude pictures to an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old woman.
However Hamilton Sheriff Courtroom heard this week that 'Darcy' turned out to be an grownup member of a self-styled youngster safety group, Shatter the Silence.
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Edgeler, of Suna Path, Shotts, admitted sending indecent messages and pictures to an grownup pretending to be a toddler between September 7 and October 9 final 12 months.
The 52-year-old was free of jail in March 2021 after a two-year sentence for comparable offences, once more involving a vigilante pretending to be a woman aged 12.
On that event Edgeler was placed on the intercourse offenders' register for 10 years.
Jennifer Cunningham, prosecuting, advised the court docket this week that Edgeler befriended 'Darcy' and advised her he was 31. She mentioned she was "almost 13".
Their conversations on WhatsApp turned "extra sexualised" and he advised her he "might kiss these horny legs all evening".
Edgeler despatched the feminine two bare pictures and tried to get her to ship him specific photos of herself in return.
He additionally prompt they meet at a grocery store in Bathgate.
Nonetheless, on October 9 he was confronted at his house by members of Shatter the Silence who additionally contacted the police.
When arrested, Edgeler turned "distressed and extremely emotional".
He repeatedly advised law enforcement officials 'I have been an fool'.
Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen deferred sentence till subsequent month for a felony justice social work report and a threat evaluation.
He advised Edgeler: "Given the closeness in time between your launch from jail and the fee of those offences, the potential of an prolonged sentence or another type of supervision in your launch have to be thought-about."
Edgeler, who has been in jail since his arrest in October, was once more remanded in custody.
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