ALASDAIR GORDON SAUNDERS – STOW, SCOTTISH BORDERS

2024. A 26-YEAR-OLD man who admitted attempting to meet a 15-year-old girl in Galashiels to engage in unlawful sexual activity has been ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and placed on the sex offenders’ register for two years.

Alasdair Saunders, from Stow, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened in Galashiels on July 28.

Selkirk Sheriff Court was told he asked the youngster to meet him at the side of the Volunteer Hall where he told her there were less cameras, after striking up a conversation with her on Snapchat.

However, he drove off in his car when he was approached by the youngster’s mother who had turned up to confront him.

Defence lawyer Ed Hulme said his client had turned to the internet after struggling to make friendships face-to-face.

He told the court Saunders had “probably” been suffering from depression at the time.

Mr Hulme said: “He has ended up doing something stupid which was out of character.

He recognises it is a serious matter and he has expressed considerable shame, regret and remorse for his actions.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson described Saunders’ behaviour as “reprehensible”.

He explained the conduct crossed the threshold of custody.

But with the Scottish Government’s presumption against short-term sentences, he imposed the alternative.

In addition to the unpaid work, Saunders was also made the subject of supervision for two years.