AN AYRSHIRE sex offender was stung by paedophile hunters while trying to prey on what he thought was a girl aged 13.

Steven Young, 30, admitted sending indecent messages to the decoy between July 14 and July 28 2021 from his home address in Mains Ford Road, Drongan.

Young pleaded guilty to the charge during a hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.

Fiscal depute Alexander Fraser said the accused had initially appeared on August 2 that year and was committed for further examination.

Mr Fraser said: “She was a volunteer decoy of a certain organisation pretending to be 13 on an adult dating site.

“On July 14, 2021, the accused contacted the decoy’s profile. His profile stated his age was 28 and from Ayr.

“The conversation moved to WhatsApp after the decoy gave the accused the telephone number to contact her.

“The accused, then aged 28, asked the age of the decoy. The decoy told him she was 13.

“The accused asked if they could meet up. The accused also asked if she wanted a cuddle.

“He went on to ask if she would stay at his house. He also asked if she was happy to have him as her boyfriend.

“He then went on to ask if he gave her a lift would she feel his leg. He then went on to ask if she would snog him.

“He then said to the decoy ‘I bet you would like to try sex’.

“Thereafter he stated in his living room ‘I will lift you up, carry you to my bedroom, put you in my bed and do it to you’.

“He then went on to say he was playing with himself. He then asked the decoy ‘will you be making noises when I’m s***ing you’.”

“Screenshots were taken of the conversation. Members of the online group attended his address to confront the accused. Thereafter police were contacted.

“At a later date the accused was traced and arrested.”

Sheriff Shirley Foran placed Young, who was represented by defence solicitor John Gallagher, on the sex offenders register, and deferred sentence until a later date for background reports and a full risk assessment.

The length of time Young will spend on the register will be decided when he is sentenced.