Police have hailed the 32 months jail sentence handed out to a sex offender whose online grooming led to unlawful sexual activity.
Police say the sentencing of 50-year-old Derek Stewart at Forfar Sheriff Court today, sends a clear message to those who would attempt to exploit children.
Stewart was found guilty of sexual offences involving Child Sexual Exploitation including online grooming which led to unlawful sexual activity.
Detective Inspector Scott Fotheringham said: “This was a protracted police investigation carried out by the Public Protection Unit in Tayside Division.
“Police Scotland is committed to the protection of vulnerable young people who regularly communicate with unknown persons online. Today’s sentencing sends a clear message to those persons who seek to target children and young people in this manner for the purposes sexual activity.
“Officers work alongside partner agencies and are committed to ensuring that all incidents of sexual exploitation involving children or young persons are professionally and thoroughly investigated.
“We are acutely aware of the potential impact on the victims of these types of crimes and will ensure by the use of specially trained officers that they receive a tailored, sensitive approach providing support on every occasion.
“Those individuals who pose the greatest risk of harm will be actively targeted and those who seek to sexually exploit children or young persons can expect a robust response.
“Anyone who has concerns about a child or young person that they believe may be at risk of sexual exploitation is asked to contact Police Scotland on the non-emergency telephone number 101.”
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