An 11-year-old girl was groomed on the internet by a 30-year-old father who communicated with the youngster through a false social networking profile, a court heard yesterday.
Thomas Moodie communicated with her using the name John E Bravo it was said.
Eventually he admitted to his young victim who he really was but it didn’t end the contact.
Moodie’s messages became more inappropriate and sexualised, suggesting a threesome with one of her friends, regularly calling her “gorgeous”, Inverness Sheriff Court was told.
At Christmas 2013 he wrote: “I’d give you a present but I would go to jail for it.”
Moodie, of 36 Millerton Avenue, Inverness, admitted at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday intentionally sending a sexual written communication to a child under 13 years and making use of social networking sites to send inappropriate and sexualised comments to her.
Bearded Moodie hung his head as the details of his online relationship with the girl between July 30, 2013, and January 7, 2014, were read out.
At one stage, he hinted in a message that he was going to leave his wife for the youngster.
Fiscal depute Stewart MacIver told Sheriff Margaret Neilson: “The offence came to light when a friend of the girl told her mother and she in turn informed the victim’s mother. The police were then informed.
“He used a false Facebook profile called John E Bravo which had a cartoon character for his photograph.
“He often referred to her as ‘gorgeous’ and ‘babes’ and would end some messages with kisses.
“There were other messages which said they loved each other, and that she was ‘a wee hottie’ and ‘stunning’.”
Mr MacIver said that on December 21, 2013, it appeared Moodie was concerned that she might tell her friends who he was and he wrote: “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t tell anyone I am a perv.”
Mr MacIver said: “When police arrested and interviewed Moodie, he conceded his comments were inappropriate and hinted at having sex. But he said he would never have acted upon them.”
Sentence was deferred for a background report until April 30. Moodie was placed on the sex offenders register and he had his bail continued.