Sex offender given ‘unheard of’ chance

A SEX offender stung by a vigilante group after trying to meet children has admitted breaching stringent conduct requirements for the third time.

Matthew Sayers was spared a jail sentence last August for travelling to Dundee in the hope of meeting two children the previous January.

However, he could be facing prison after he pleaded guilty to buying a smart TV without informing police.

The creep had sent an explicit picture of himself to a vigilante posing as the youngsters.

Sayers, 32, was ordered to perform 170 hours of unpaid work and placed on an order restricting his internet access.

However, Sayers, who suffers from mental health issues, this week returned to the dock of Dundee Sheriff Court in handcuffs to admit the third breach of the order since it was imposed.

He admitted being in possession of a smart TV at his home on Hyvot Mill Drive, Edinburgh, without informing his supervising officer.

Defence solicitor Peter Barr told Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC: “He had messaged his supervising officer but had not been given approval to use that television.

“He has been making some progress.

“The breaches will raise concerns but there’s been no further offending.”

Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC said she would give Sayers four weeks to show that he could comply with the order, adding that it was “unheard of” not to imprison him after so many breaches.

“I do not know what it’s going to take to get the message through to you,” the sheriff told Sayers.

“These conduct requirements are there for a reason.

“I take a serious view of the fact that this is your third time you have breached this order.

“You are facing being sent back to jail.

“It’s only because you have just got out of hospital that I am going to give you another chance. It’s unheard of.”

The review of Sayers’ community payback order was continued until later in the month.

Matthew Sayers