‘Sexual predator’ is jailed for four years

A “sexual predator” with a “profoundly troubling” interest in young boys has been jailed for four years.

Robert Strachan used dating app Grindr to seek out and groom victims, having graphic sexual conversations with users who said they were children as young as 11.

The 42-year-old tried to entice his victims to meet him and some messages suggested meetings had already taken place.

Strachan – a prisoner at HMP Grampian – appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for sentencing yesterday, via a video link, having previously pled guilty to 13 offences.

He admitted four charges of attempting to communicate indecently with an older child, aged under 16, and one of attempting to communicate indecently with a younger child, aged under 13.

Strachan also admitted eight charges of failing to notify police of various online usernames while subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act.

Referring to the users Strachan had communicated with, defence agent David Sutherland said: “He accepts that they are victims and will clearly have been affected by their involvement in the crimes to which he has pled guilty.”

Sheriff William Summers told Strachan: “You are a registered sex offender.

“It’s quite clear you are a sexual predator and have a profoundly troubling interest in young children, particularly young boys.”

Sheriff Summers imposed an extended sentence, with four years in prison and a further two years on licence.