The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Teenager sent nudes of girl to her friend
ADunfermline sex offender was snared after he sent naked photographs of his crush to her friend on Instagram.
Alan Cook admitted taking or making indecent photographs of children, distributing them and causing another person to view photos of a 15-year-old girl.
The now 18-year-old had been speaking with a 15-year-old girl on Instagram messenger in April 2020 and the conversation had begun normally, Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court heard.
Cook, who was 16 at the time, made it clear to the girl that he knew her friend and had a crush on her.
However, the girl’s friend did not feel the same way about him.
Cook then sent the girl he had been speaking to nine photographs of her friend in various states of undress, including graphic images.
The recipient contacted police and officers obtained a search warrant. When they attended at Cook’s home in Clunie Road, they seized an iPad and phones.
On the devices, police found that Cook had been using search terms such as “14-year-olds” and “jailbait”.
Officers found a total of 172 indecent images of children and three videos on his devices.
Two of the videos and 36 of the images were deemed category A, the most serious, and depicted children from the ages of one to six years old being
abused, including by adults.
In terms of category B files, Cook was found to have 72 images and one video, depicting children between the ages of two and five.
He also had 64 category C files, showing children between the ages of three and eight.
His solicitor, Chris
Sneddon, said: “He was 16 at the time.
“Clearly reports will be required. He is able to plead competently today.”
Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane deferred sentence until June 27 to allow for social work reports and a restriction of liberty order assessment to be completed.
The sheriff also placed the teenager on the sex offenders register, telling him that the full period of time he will spend subject to the notification requirements will be confirmed at the next hearing.
She released Cook on bail and told him: “I have to get a report before I deal with you.”