A MENSTRIE man sent sexual messages online to someone he thought was a child.
However, Peter Barnett was in fact contacting an undercover police officer acting as a decoy to snare paedophiles.
Barnett, of Burnside Road, appeared for sentencing at Alloa Sheriff Court last Thursday, September 28.
The 59-year-old admitted that on April 12, last year, he sent a sexual message to someone he thought was a child under the age of 16 but who was actually an undercover police officer and that he attempted to communicate indecently with a child.
Defence solicitor Charlotte Watt said her client was a first offender and "feels shame, embarrassment and guilt".
She added: "He's genuinely disgusted with himself.
"He was spending a lot of time on the internet and drinking too much. Because of his intoxication he has no recollection."
"That seems very surprising," said Sheriff Neil Bowie.
Barnett was put on a community payback order with three years of supervision and a restriction of liberty order for five months.
He has also been put on the sex offenders' register for five years.
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