A member of the Tayside Police family protection unit made ”obscene, disgusting and depraved” calls suggesting sexual acts with a child on a chatline, Dundee Sheriff Court heard.
Detective Constable Iain Ledger (47), of Kenmore Gardens, who was described in court on Monday as a ”well-respected” officer, admitted making the calls, which were recorded and monitored by the online company.
His actions came to light after a moderator reported an inappropriate reference to a child in a recorded message he left after a work night out.
An investigation found recordings of 11 one-to-one conversations with other males on the chatline in which Ledger described committing alleged sexual activity against a child.
However, the court heard that there was ”absolutely no evidence or indication” that Ledger had actually carried out any of the acts he described.
Ledger admitted sending communications to 4D Interactive, Wandsworth High Street, London, that were grossly offensive or of an indecent character in that they discussed detailed sexual acts with a child.
Depute fiscal Nicola Gillespie told the court that Ledger, who had more than 20 years’ service with the force, had been drinking the night his message was left but was ”by no means drunk” according to colleagues.
He had left an introductory message on the 4D Interactive chatline which said: ”Hi mate, how’s it going, Gary here,” and made reference to a child.
A moderator expressed concern to his manager, who contacted the police, who traced the landline number to Ledger’s home address. Ledger had admitted he had made the call and was placed on restricted duties.
In the meantime the chat-line had provided police with recordings of 11 calls made by Ledger in which he spoke of graphic alleged sexual activity towards a child.
Ledger was interviewed, but made no comment. The court heard that colleagues had recognised Ledger’s voice when the recording of the calls were played to them.
Sheriff richard Davidson asked whether the subject matter of the calls was ”largely fantasy”, to which Ms Gillespie replied: ”We have no information to say that these things happened.”
Solicitor David Holmes told the court Ledger was off work as the result of long-term, stress-related sickness.
Mr Holmes said: ”Mr Ledger did not hide the fact that he made these calls. Experienced officers were completely satisfied that they were complete fantasy.”
He said Ledger’s colleagues spoke highly of all the work he has been involved in.
He told the court that in December last year Ledger felt ”out of control” with his life due to his personal relationship matters and work-related problems.
However he continued working, and Mr Holmes added: ”There is not a shred of evidence to suggest he was doing anything other than attending to his duties during this time”, despite him being ”emotionally ill-equipped” to deal with his workload.
Sheriff Davidson told the court it was ”difficult to imagine” that Ledger would continue serving as an officer.
He said: ”The content of these calls is obscene, disgusting and depraved. However, I take into account the difficulties in your own life that led you into this situation.”
Sheriff Davidson told Ledger it was a ”huge personal tragedy” for him and deferred sentence until January 30.
He ordered reports to be compiled by the Edinburgh City Council social work department so no one he had been in contact with in Dundee would have contact with the report author. He also placed Ledger on the sex offenders register.
A police spokesman said: ”We are aware of proceedings at Dundee Sheriff Court today and can confirm that matters will be passed to the deputy chief constable for consideration.”