A notorious Perth paedophile who referred to himself as Dangerous Dave has been handed a nine year extended sentence for grooming a schoolboy on the other side of the world.
Serial sex offender David Greig sent explicit selfies to his 13-year-old victim using the Telegram social media app.
Police uncovered the chat log on the 46-year-old’s computer devices at his Perth home, along with horrific images of babies being raped by adults.
Greig appeared at Perth Sheriff Court for sentencing, having previously admitted this, his third sexual offence.
He was told jail was the only option.
Protection from public harm
Solicitor David Sinclair, defending, said his client had been recommended for the Moving Forward: Making Changes rehabilitation programme for sex offenders.
He highlighted Greig’s previous Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SOPO) had expired in April 2024, some time before the indecent images and chat came to light.
“His initial offences were of contact nature,” said Mr Sinclair.
“Now we are in the region of semi-contact, in that he was communicating indecently with an apparently underage person.”
Mr Sinclair said: “Mr Greig was in a road accident when he was a young boy and this matter appears to have gone undiagnosed throughout his childhood.”
He said his client struggled to form healthy relationships and “find his role in society.”
‘No real alternative’
Sheriff William Wood told Greig: “Unfortunately for you, there is no getting away from your previous convictions.
“This is the third time you’ve come to court in respect of sexual offences, and as a result there is no real alternative to a custodial sentence.”
The sheriff added: “You have to understand that simply possessing indecent photos of children contributes to the continued industry and contributes to the ongoing abuse of children.
“Clearly that is a reprehensible thing that the public must be protect from.
“And it is of further concern that you had a discussion with a person online who disclosed they were a child, yet you continued with this highly sexualised conversation.”
Greig admitted grooming a 13-year-old boy in November last year.
He further pled guilty to downloading indecent images of children between July 14 and November 6 2024.
Sheriff Wood said: “I am concerned that the public needs to be adequately protected against serious harm once you are released.
“For that reason, I am going to pass on you an extended sentence.”
Greig was jailed for four years and will be on licence for five more after he is out of prison.
He will be subject to the sex offenders register and the sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.
Laptop discovery
Fiscal depute Emma Farmer earlier told the court police investigated after receiving a tip-off indecent images had been downloaded to Greig’s laptop and phone.
“The Telegram Messenger app had been installed and the search indicated indecent communications had taken place, and images and videos were found on both devices,” she said.
The material included footage of children as young as six months old being sexually assaulted.
In the Telegram chat, Greig’s victim – “who resided an eight-hour time difference away” – told him he was 13.
“The conversation was sexually explicit throughout,” said Ms Farmer.
Greig sent the boy photos and videos of himself exposing his penis and carrying out a solo sex act.
The court previously heard how the offender, who set up a Skype account under the name Dangerous Dave, had traded hours of sickening child abuse footage on the internet.
For that, he was jailed for three years.
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