iStockA sex offender who plotted to live stream the abuse of a young girl could be facing a life sentence.
Andrew Allan was in contact online with a man he believed was called Tony in late March this year.
But the 41-year-old was caught in an undercover sting, as ‘Tony’ was a police officer.
The High Court in Glasgow heard on Wednesday how Allan had initially been in touch with Tony on the Telegram app.
Allan was later shown a photo of a young girl that Tony apparently knew.
The pervert – previously guilty of child sex offences – went on to make a number of explicit remarks.
Prosecutor Samantha Brown said Allan was then “offered a cam show” – effectively a video stream of the child supposedly being preyed upon.
This was arranged for the next day. It was then police swooped at Allan’s home in Hamilton, Lanarkshire.
Ms Brown said: “Officers forced entry – they saw Allan leaving the kitchen. He was naked from the waist down.”
He initially lied that he only had one electronic device, but a mobile phone was also discovered.
Allan said “stuff” would be found on it.
He then claimed he had the Telegram app, but had never used it.
But, he later gave the name he used for an account and accepted being in contact with Tony.
Ms Brown told the hearing that police went on to find a total of more than 200 indecent photos and movie clips during a check of the devices.
Allan pled guilty to an attempted conspiracy charge.
He further admitted having indecent images as well as breaching a sex offence order by failing to tell the police that he had a new mobile phone.
Prosecutors have moved for a full risk assessment to be carried out on Allan, which could eventually see an Order for Lifelong Restriction imposed.
Lord Colbeck initially adjourned sentencing until next month.
Allan remains in custody.
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