‘PAEDO HUNTERS’ CONFRONTED SEX OFFENDER ON HIS DOORSTEP
A Dunfermline man was confronted at his home by paedophile hunters after he was caught by a ‘decoy’.
Alexander Hope, 38, who has a previous conviction for similar offending, appeared from custody at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.
He admitted that between 7th July and 5th August last year at Fodbank View, Dunfermline, he contacted someone he thought was a 13-year-old girl. He sent sexually explicit images and videos to her.
He also sent sexually explicit messages to her through a social media platform.
He also admitted that between 1st November 2023 and 14th August last year at his home, he downloaded indecent images of children.
He further admitted that on various occasions between 15th April and 29th June last year he took photos of female children without their permission.
Depute fiscal Sarah Smith said the decoy was a member of a group of called Fuze UK.
Hope contacted her profile and she said she was 13. He told her that she looked “really hot”.
His other comments included, “Bet you look super sexy sunbathing”, “I’d love to see more pics of you” and “Have you ever wanted to see a c***”.
His comments became more sexually graphic as time went on and on 14th August members of the group went to his home and recorded the interaction on Facebook Live.
He admitted being the person sending the messages and police were contacted.
He was taken to Dunfermline police station and asked if he would be going back to prison.
One of his phones had 194 files depicting child sex exploitation and abuse with a video run time of one hour and 28 minutes. There were 36 videos in category A for the most depraved content.
There were videos of sexual activity and also of upskirting schoolgirls.
Another phone had 698 files with a video running time of 12 hours and 44 minutes. These included 267 videos in category A.
Sheriff James Williamson called for reports and Hope will remain in custody until sentencing on 8th May.
