A sick Johnstone man has been jailed after he admitted using the internet to discuss the sexual abuse of children.
David Munro utilised his Xbox to access the internet and gained access to a site where he openly expressed his sexual interest in young kids and his desire to meet children to sexually abuse.
Munro admitted at Paisley Sheriff Court that he did “distribute or show” indecent photographs of children at his home address in Peockland Gardens on May 3 last year.
The 53-year-old also admitted that, on various occasions between April 25 and June 14, 2022, at his home address, he used the internet to send messages that were “grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character” in that he engaged in conversations where he discussed the sexual abuse of children and attempted to make arrangements to meet children in order to engage in sexual activity with them.
These offences were committed while twisted Munro was subject to a sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) that prohibited him from deleting his internet history, emails and images from his electronic devices.
Prosecutor Dana Barclay told the court Munro was made subject to a SOPO issued by the court on March 22 last year.
Ms Barclay explained: “Around 10.25am on June 7, 2022, police witnesses who are attached to the sex offenders’ policing unit attended at the accused’s address in Peockland Gardens to carry out an unannounced home visit.
“While in the property, the accused allowed the officers to inspect his Xbox and during the examination it was clear to see that the accused had accessed the internet and viewed pornographic internet sites.”
The court heard a search warrant was granted on July 15 due to police receiving information that, between April 25 and June 14, the user of an email address and a username of ‘Dave Munro’ had engaged in a sexualised private conversation on his Xbox with another like-minded adult male – who was, in fact, an undercover police officer – who had two young children aged seven and 11, who he was sexually abusing.
Ms Barclay explained: “The accused had engaged in this conversation and expressed a sexual interest in young children, intimating he would like to meet these children and sexually abuse them.
“Throughout the conversation, the accused confirms on more than one occasion he is interested in meeting children and their parents. ‘Dave Munro’ also made comment that he has engaged in sexual activity with an eight-year-old female named ‘Michelle’.
“The conversation took place between April 25 and June 14 and is extensive. The whole conversation from start to finish is sexually explicit in relation to the sexual abuse of children and the accused’s desire to meet with children and their parents.”
Ms Barclay went on to explain how Munro sent an email to an undercover cop which contained a Category A video of child sex abuse.
Ms Barclay told: “The accused contacted an adult undercover officer via email on May 3, 2022, containing an attachment. The content of which was examined and found to contain a Category A video.”
On July 27, Munro was arrested and, during interview, spoke freely throughout and made full admissions. He stated he had a sexual interest in children, however, everything is fantasy.
Sheriff Bruce Erroch KC caged the beast for 27 months, backdating this to his date of remand in July.
Don't miss th e latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
