A Thornton man snared by a paedophile hunter group has been sentenced at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.
John Zamlynny, who previously admitted sending sexual messages to what he believed was a 14-year-old schoolgirl, was placed on a community payback order with a 12-month supervision requirement.
He was also placed on the sex offenders register.
The 75-year-old repeatedly sent sexual messages to a girl he believed was called Alanna after making contact with her on a website called Chatiw.
However, Zamlynny was actually communicating with a member of a paedophile hunter group called Groom Resisters Scotland, who had set up a fake profile. Despite being told the profile belonged to a 14-year-old, he shared his mobile phone number with the “girl” and the “seedy messages” continued on WhatsApp.
A sting was arranged by members of the hunter group, who travelled to Zamlynny’s home village of Thornton.
During a previous hearing, depute fiscal Catherine Fraser said when Zamlynny was traced he was assaulted by a local resident.
Police were contacted and the pensioner was taken into custody.
The court was told he gave no comment during his interview, but he later told his wife: “It’s ‘cause I’m bored when you’re at work.”
