A paedophile was trapped by vigilantes in an online sting only months after completing a prison sentence for similar offences.
Craig Edgeler sent nude photos to a person he believed to be a 12-year-old girl.
But Hamilton Sheriff Court heard this week that 'Darcy' turned out to be an adult member of a self-styled child protection group, Shatter the Silence.
Edgeler, of Suna Path, Shotts, admitted sending indecent messages and photos to an adult pretending to be a child between September 7 and October 9 last year.
The 52-year-old was freed from jail in March 2021 after a two-year sentence for similar offences, again involving a vigilante pretending to be a girl aged 12.
On that occasion Edgeler was put on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.
Jennifer Cunningham, prosecuting, told the court this week that Edgeler befriended 'Darcy' and told her he was 31. She said she was "nearly 13".
Their conversations on WhatsApp became "more sexualised" and he told her he "could kiss those sexy legs all night".
Edgeler sent the female two naked photos and tried to get her to send him explicit pictures of herself in return.
He also suggested they meet at a supermarket in Bathgate.
However, on October 9 he was confronted at his home by members of Shatter the Silence who also contacted the police.
When arrested, Edgeler became "distressed and highly emotional".
He repeatedly told police officers 'I've been an idiot'.
Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen deferred sentence until next month for a criminal justice social work report and a risk assessment.
He told Edgeler: "Given the closeness in time between your release from prison and the commission of these offences, the possibility of an extended sentence or some other form of supervision on your release must be considered."
Edgeler, who has been in jail since his arrest in October, was again remanded in custody.
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