An army cadet instructor preyed on his teenage charges in a bid to get them to send him explicit pictures.
Jack Ewan was dismissed from his position after it was discovered that he had requested indecent images from two teenagers, and had additionally asked one of them to carry out a variety of sex acts on him.
Fiscal depute Bill Kermode told Perth Sheriff Court: “The teenager was in the army cadets and met the accused as he was a new adult instructor.
“Initially he was seen as a good laugh and there were no issues of cause for concern. In 2016 the complainer became aware that some friends had added him on (social media platform) Snapchat and added him to their Snapchat. The accused and the complainer began messaging each other.
“At first the messages were normal but then moved on. The accused asked the complainer if they could meet up. Initially the complainer said no but he persisted and the complainer later agreed to meet the accused.”
The cadet called off the meeting after receiving a series of messages in which Ewan requested a number of different sex acts be performed on him.
He then requested “a dirty”, which the complainer took to mean an explicit picture or video.
After initially refusing the complainer relented and in return received a video of Ewan carrying out a solo sex act.
At the same time another cadet was receiving similar requests to meet and to provide explicit images to Ewan.
The offences came to light when the parent of a third cadet expressed concern that Ewan was messaging teenagers in his charge.
He was suspended from his post and the matter reported to the police.
In an interview with officers Ewan admitted adding the cadets on Snapchat but denied that he was attracted to them or had asked for explicit photos.
Ewan, of Perth, admitted that between July 1 and September 7 this year at his home address and elsewhere he did cause a teenager to view sexual messages by requesting that sexual acts be performed on him and that he be sent indecent pictures or video.
He further admitted requesting indecent images from a second teenager between July 1 and September 9 this year.
Sentence on the 19-year-old was deferred until December 21 for reports.
