In 2019, the Offender Database reported that William Figures, 33, solicited the 15-year-old minor for £10 in exchange for topless photographs and £30 for full nudity images.
The Paisley Sheriff Court was informed that Figures transmitted a message to her mobile phone stating: “Right, I am a pervert.” Why is it not a white male? Amusing. I was contemplating that you might send a nude photograph, which could serve as an ideal incentive. However, for a complete nude photograph, I would offer you an additional £20 on top of the ten pounds.
The astonished youth reached out to a friend, who advised her to inform her mother.
Subsequently, her mother notified the police, leading to Figures’ arrest during a search of his flat on Kintyre Avenue, Linwood, during which his phone was confiscated.
During the investigation of his residence for further electronic gadgets, a gas-powered air weapon was discovered concealed beneath his bed.
During a pre-trial hearing at Paisley Sheriff Court last month, Figures admitted guilt to a charge of deliberately soliciting nude photographs from a 15-year-old child in exchange for monetary compensation on May 17, 2018, with the intent of achieving sexual gratification or inflicting humiliation or distress.
He also acknowledged possessing an air weapon without the requisite registration certificate.
Sheriff Tom McCartney requested the preparation of background reports prior to sentencing and cautioned Figures that he could face incarceration.
However, when William Figures appeared in court last week to receive his sentence, the judge refrained from imposing incarceration.
The sheriff stated, as he imposed a three-year Community Payback Order requiring supervision by social workers and the completion of 300 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months: “These offences would typically lead to an immediate prison sentence.”
“Nonetheless, I observe that you have never been incarcerated, and your prior convictions are restricted to two for possession of controlled substances, one of which is over a decade old.”
William Figures was also registered on the Sex Offenders’ Register for the subsequent three years and prohibited from possessing any devices capable of internet access, wiping his browsing history, contacting individuals aged 17 or younger, or utilising any email addresses without the consent of his social worker.
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