An Angus predator caught by a hunter group at Arbroath bus station as he waited to meet a schoolgirl from Glasgow has been placed on supervision.
Mark Falzon thought he had been grooming a 13-year-old but was actually being set up by the online paedophile hunters.
The 42-year-old had spent months communicating with an account run by The Forbidden Scotland, believing he was chatting to a young teenager called Demi.
When he turned up for what he thought would be their first meeting, he was instead confronted by angry adult, who filmed an emotional confrontation with him.
During the encounter watched by more than 5,000 people on Facebook, Falzon, of Howard Street, repeatedly screamed and tried to leave.
Falzon was sentenced to three years of supervision and must engage in the Tay Project for sex offenders.
He is also subject to sex offender registration requirements.
Snared in Arbroath by hunter group
Dundee Sheriff Court previously heard how Falzon, 42, regularly referred to what he thought was the 13-year-old as his girlfriend.
He began messaging on Facebook on October 29 2021 and early in the conversation, the woman – operating an account on which the profile picture was that of a young girl – said she was 13 and from Glasgow.
Falzon’s messages became increasingly sexual over the next two and a half months.
He initially asked for a photograph and said: “If you were a bit older and I asked you out, what would you say?”
He asked: “Would you like to meet up some time?”
He asked: “Would you like to come to Arbroath if it was okay?”
He repeatedly asked the girl what she was wearing and requested photographs.
Conversation turns sexual
Although he was told repeatedly the girl was at school, Falzon turned the conversation sexual, telling the girl he could wash her back if she wanted and made reference to kissing and cuddling in bed.
As well as asking what colour her underwear was, Falzon told the girl: “Bet you look sexy naked” and “Bet you have a cute bum”.
He arranged to meet her on January 9 last year at Arbroath bus station but was met by the hunter group, who called police.
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