Omani soldier caught messaging decoy posing as girl by while competing in World Pipe Band Championships

An Omani soldier was caught by a paedophile “vigilante” group while he competed in the World Pipe Band Championships.

Hamdan Alkhamali, 47, believed he was chatting online to a 12-year-old girl between July and August 2024.

Instead, he was chatting to an adult from a vigilante group posing as a child ‘decoy’.

Alkhamali claimed that he would have sex with her and that he knew what he was doing was against the law.

Alkhamali – who represented the Omani army band – was snared by the vigilante group in Glasgow Green where the championships were being held.

The incident resulted in negotiations to bring the first offender back to Scotland from Oman to face justice.

Alkhamali pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to sending written communication to a person he believed to be a child.

He was fined £1,275 by Sheriff Matthew Jackson KC, who also put him on the sex offenders register.

The sheriff said: “If you were a British national I would have called for a background report to find out why you committed this crime.

“I’m satisfied in these unusual circumstances that your government and military will work to ensure that you will undergo the same sort of counselling and education that you would have in this country.

“Do not think that you are getting away with this just because you are a foreign national.

“I expect your government will give a very full undertaking to see that you get the counselling that you require.”

The court earlier heard that Alkhamali first contacted the decoy on social media chatting application SayHi on July 29.

Alkhamali was told by the decoy that she was 12 years old and he replied: “Age doesn’t matter, it’s just a number.”

The conversation continued on WhatsApp, where Alkhamali turned the chat sexual.

Alkhamali also spoke about meeting the girl and showering together in the bathroom.

He made references to keeping their conversations “private.”

Prosecutor Jenny Reid said: “He told her that he was scared about breaking the law.

“He told her that in this country, the law prohibits him from being with a minor or young girl.”

The vigilante group decided to confront Alkhamali at Glasgow Green on August 17.

Ms Reid added: “This was due to information from Alkhamali that he would be there to take part in the Pipe Band Championships.”

Alkhamali told the vigilante group that he was speaking to her and he was later arrested by police.

John Scullion KC, defending, told the court that a representative of the Omani military was present in court.

The advocate said: “Alkhamali was in the UK competing in the championships for the Omani armed forces.

“He was allowed to return to Oman and undertakings were taken by the government of Oman that he would return to the UK for court proceedings, which he has cooperated with.

“He has brought shame and embarrassment and he is aware that he let his family down as well as the military for which he expresses remorse.

“The Omani military and government are aware of the charges and they have committed to explore the issues arising from this case.”

The hearing was also told that the sheriff had received papers from the Ministry of Defence as well as the Sultan of Oman before the case called in court.