A Linwood paedophile who told a “12-year-old girl” he loved her and sent her indecent images has avoided a jail sentence.
Beast Andrew Patterson sent an undercover cop acting as a 12-year-old girl called Layla indecent and sexual messages between April 25, 2024 and June 6, 2024.
Patterson, who was 27 at the time of the vile offence pretended to the girl that he was aged just 18.
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During the six-week “persistent and prolonged” period where Patterson communicated on social media with the girl, he sent her pictures of his penis, repeatedly asked her to send him pictures, told her she was “super sexy” and told her he was in love with her.
Procurator fiscal depute, Ashleigh Pollock told Paisley Sheriff Court, on May 1, 2024, Patterson, of Cowal Drive, sent the girl a message stating “I bet you look nice in your school uniform” before sending her a picture of his penis.
The following day he sent a message stating he liked Layla “more than a friend” and when she sent a selfie type image to him, he replied, “I was hoping for a bit of leg or t**s.”
Ms Pollock told the court Patterson, now 28-years-old, sent messages saying the girl was “smoking hot” that he “will make your p***y wet” and on May 8, 2024, he sent a “close-up” picture of his penis with a message that stated, “did you like that? I like looking at you, it’s like God gave me you to look after. I love you.”
Defence agent, Paul Coyle told the court Patterson was a “first offender.”
He added: “A background report has been prepared and the author has had meetings with him and his mother.
“It outlines his various disabilities, both physical and psychological and they are well documented in the report.
“There is an alternative to custody available.”
Sentencing, Sheriff Clare Arias slammed the beast stating: “This was a deliberate and sustained course of conduct.
“You pretended to be 18, your grooming behaviour was persistent and prolonged, you pressured her to send you sexual images, you sent sexual messages to her and sent indecent images to her.
“There was a level of planning involved.
“Parents have nightmares about children being involved with people like you.
“While I could impose a custodial sentence, and I do consider the custodial threshold has been met, there are alternatives available.”
Sheriff Arias ordered Patterson to carry out 224 hours of unpaid work in the community with 12 months.
In addition, he was made subject to supervision of the social work department for three years and ordered to undertake the ‘Moving Forward to Change’ programme - a behavioural change programme for adult male sex offenders.
Patterson was also placed on the sex offender’s register for three years.
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