Man travelled to Dundee in hope of meeting children for sex

A man was snared by vigilante paedophile hunters after travelling to Dundee in the hope of meeting children for sex.

Matthew Sayers, of Hyvot Mill Drive, Edinburgh, had sent sexual messages and pictures to decoy social media profiles of girls aged 12 and 13, run by the group Child Protectors Scotland.

The 32-year-old then arranged to meet the two “children”, who he thought were Rachel Cavendish and Lucy Riley but were actually James Doyle and Louise Doyle.

At Dundee Sheriff Court the 33-year-old admitted attempting to meet a child he believed was 12, and a child he believed was 13, for sex.

He also admitted sending sexual messages and a picture to obtain sexual gratification or of humiliating, distressing, or alarming them.

The court heard Sayers made contact with “Rachel” on January 6 and “almost immediately” turned the conversation sexual.

Depute fiscal Marie Irvine said: “The accused claimed he was 19 while the witnesses’ decoy made clear she was 12.

“He also contacted ‘Lucy’ on January 7 who told him she was 13. He asked if she would like to have sex or try to have sex with him.

“Several days later, he sent a message saying ‘I’m in bed, wishing you were here’ before sending an image.”

The court heard that after he arranged to meet them, Sayers was approached by Mr Doyle at Dundee’s Seagate Bus Station on January 11.

Mr Doyle called the police, who, after being appraised of the nature of the incident, arrested and charged Sayers.

Sheriff Lorna Drummond deferred sentenced until April 28 for a criminal justice social work report and remanded Sayers in custody. He was placed on the sex offenders register in the meantime.