Man caught by online vigilante group is jailed for 18 months

An ex-military man who was caught sending vile sexual messages to two young girls by a paedophile hunter group has been sentenced to 18 months in jail.

James Dunn, 41, of Den Walk, Methil, admitted sending pictures of a sexual nature to social media profiles in the belief that they belonged to a 12-year-old girl and a 14-yearold girl.

The pair had actually been decoys created by a paedophile hunter group, Child Protectors Scotland, and he was confronted at the doorstep of his former home in Glenrothes by members on January 13.

Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court previously heard how Dunn’s now ex-partner was able to positively identify him by his clothing, watch and genitalia.

Dunn pled guilty to sending sexual communications to a person under the age of 13 online between January 9 and 13 this year.

He also accepted sending the inappropriate messages to a girl over the age of 13 but under 16 on January 18 from the address in Glenrothes.

Defence solicitor Megan Davidson said her client was “extremely ashamed and disgusted” by his behaviour, and suffered from low mood and PTSD.

In sentencing, Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist QC said the case was “unusual” in that Dunn had some quite serious previous convictions – albeit not of a similar nature.

“I have to believe you were attempting to proposition a 12-year-old and a 14-year-old child for sexual purposes,” he added.

Supporters of the vigilante group shouted ‘Yes’ and embraced as the sentence was announced.