Andy Urquhart

A 30-year-old man from Munlochy in the Scottish Highlands has admitted to serious sexual offences after attempting to solicit indecent images from what he believed was a 13-year-old girl online. Andy Urquhart, residing on Station Road, engaged in explicit communications on October 5, unaware that the individual he was contacting, known as 'Sophia', was in fact an undercover police officer.

The incident came to light through a police operation targeting online grooming and child sexual exploitation. Urquhart initiated contact and quickly escalated the conversation to indecent topics, requesting naked photographs from the supposed teenager. In response, he sent images depicting his own naked private body part, further evidencing his intent to engage in prohibited sexual communications with a minor.

Urquhart appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charges of attempting to communicate indecently with a child and related sexual offences. Sheriff Gary Aitken, presiding over the case, ordered a background report and an assessment for the Moving Forward to Change programme, a rehabilitation initiative for sex offenders. Immediately following the admission of guilt, Urquhart was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register, a mandatory step for such convictions in the UK.

Sentencing has been deferred to December 15 at Inverness Sheriff Court, allowing time for the necessary reports to inform the final disposal. The case underscores ongoing efforts by Police Scotland to combat online predation, with the Inverness Courier reporting that Urquhart's actions were swiftly uncovered through proactive undercover work. No further details on the precise nature of the platform used for communication were disclosed in court proceedings, but the offence falls under UK legislation prohibiting sexual communications with children.

• Key facts: Offence date - October 5, 2025; Court - Inverness Sheriff Court; Next hearing - December 15, 2025.
• Quote from Sheriff Gary Aitken: Background report and assessment ordered to determine appropriate intervention.

This case highlights the dangers of online interactions and the effectiveness of law enforcement in protecting vulnerable children from paedophilic behaviour.