In 2016, the Offender Database reported that Ashley Allen, then 25, of Dundee Street, Carnoustie, Angus, was jailed for more than two years for a three-year campaign of online grooming. Allen used social media to hunt for girls between the ages of 13 and 15, creating fake personas to trick them into sending naked photographs.
The Police Scotland investigation found that Allen operated across multiple platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, Kik, and Snapchat. He dishonestly posed as an 18-year-old from Edinburgh and a 15-year-old from Surrey to establish contact with his victims. Sheriff Gregor Murray described Allen as a “dangerous, predatory individual” who used subterfuge and threats to manipulate children.
“Badgering” and Online Subterfuge
The court heard that Allen’s methods involved a high degree of planning. In one instance, he contacted a 13-year-old girl and convinced her to send indecent images. In another case, he engaged a 15-year-old girl in daily conversation for two weeks until she sent approximately 40 sexual pictures of herself.
When he was detained, Allen dishonestly claimed he believed one of the girls was over 18, but the court heard he had persistently “badgered” the victims, moving from public sites to private messaging to exert control. The Sheriff noted that his behaviour reached the point of blackmail to ensure the girls complied with his demands.
Sentence and Lifetime Registration
Allen pleaded guilty at Forfar Sheriff Court to four charges under the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act and two charges of downloading and possessing indecent images of children. For his crimes in Carnoustie, Ashley Allen was:
- Sentenced to two years and seven months in prison.
- Placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Despite his solicitor’s claim that he led a “sheltered life,” the Sheriff emphasised that the predatory nature of his actions required a significant custodial sentence.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Allen is managed under the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Police Scotland. His residency in Carnoustie, Angus, and his future digital activity remain under lifelong scrutiny.
As part of his lifelong registration, Allen is subject to strict notification requirements regarding any electronic devices or internet-enabled accounts he uses. Any attempt to create further fake personas or contact minors will result in his immediate arrest and return to custody. Police Scotland emphasises that they continue to monitor social media platforms to identify and disrupt predators who use “subterfuge” to target children.
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