An Aberfeldy man has admitted sending a photo of his penis to a 14-year-old girl – but denied the offence was “significantly sexual”.
Drunken Connor Brown fired off a series of obscene Snapchat messages to the youngster while she was at a slumber party.
After receiving the unsolicited explicit image, she fired back: “I’m 14. Get a grip.”
Brown, 28, was originally charged with communicating indecently with the child, a breach of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act.
At Perth Sheriff Court, prosecutors accepted his guilty plea to an alternative charge of sending the teenager indecent messages and a photo, contrary to the Communications Act.
His lawyer said there was no significant sexual element to the crime.
Sheriff William Wood deferred sentence for further background reports.
Sleepover interrupted
Fiscal depute Stuart Hamilton said: “At the time of this offence, the complainer was aged 14.
“She had an iPhone and used Snapchat.
“Prior to the offence, the accused – who was 26 at the time – added her as a friend.
“She accepted the request as she knew of the accused.”
Mr Hamilton told the court: “Around the beginning of March 2021, she started receiving what she described as messages that did not cause her concern.
“She just ignored them.
“On the evening of March 6, she was at a sleepover when she received messages from the accused’s account.”
Brown told her he wanted to “come across the water” to “heat her up,” and added: “Get here now and I will give you a c*** to play with.”
Mr Hamilton said: “There were other messages of an inappropriate nature.
“It culminated in the accused sending a picture of a penis and part of a leg.
“The complainer messaged the accused and told him she was 14, and to ‘get a grip.’
“The person she was staying with took some photos of the messages.”
The prosecutor said: “A few months later, the complainer told her mother what had happened.
“The matter was then reported to police.”
Police interview
Brown was taken to Police Scotland HQ in Dundee for interview.
He told officers he thought the girl was 15.
“He admitted he had sent the messages and conceded that he should not have done so,” said Mr Hamilton.
“He added that he had been drinking alcohol heavily but could not offer an explanation as to why he sent the messages.”
Brown, who has since moved to Lammermuir Crescent, Haddington, told police: “I’m really sorry for it all.”
Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said: “Mr Brown has no recollection of this whatsoever.
“He is mortified.”
He added: “Whilst drink played its part, there wasn’t a significant sexual element.”
Sheriff William Wood deferred sentence until May 23.
He told Brown that the question of whether the crime was sexual or not would be determined at the next calling.
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