A predator is facing jail after chatting up a 14-year-old girl online then having a sexual encounter with her.
The youngster’s parents were shocked to find “vast” numbers of messages and intimate images on her phone.
Darren McCulloch had travelled to the girl’s home town of Wishaw where they engaged in unlawful sexual activity in a park.
McCulloch, 26, of Tom Johnston Place, Kirkintilloch, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday.
He admitted having sexual communication with a child between May and September 2022 and engaging in sexual activity on one occasion.
Scott O’Connor, prosecuting, said the relationship began after the girl got hold of her cousin’s mobile phone and sent messages to her contacts.
McCulloch was one of those and he replied. He was 24 at the time and the girl told him she was only 14, but despite the age difference they started to exchange messages and in July the girl obtained her own phone.
Mr O’Connor told the court: “They began to send sexualised messages to each other as well as numerous images and videos.
“At some point the accused asked to meet the girl and she agreed. On September 22 they met at Wishaw train station and walked to Morrisons then to Wishaw Academy Park where sexual contact took place.
“After this the girl’s family noticed a change in her and asked to see her phone.
“This caused her to become irate but her parents eventually were given access to the device. They went through it and saw a vast quantity of messages between the accused and their daughter.
“The parents were deeply concerned and tried to address the issue with their daughter. She refused to engage and the police were contacted.”
Mr O’Connor said police found more than 15,000 WhatsApp messages on the girl’s phone. She and McCulloch had also communicated via Facetime and Snapchat.
Defence solicitor Martin Hughes said McCulloch has no previous convictions and is “a first offender in the true sense”.
The lawyer added: “He is well aware of the serious nature of this matter.”
Sheriff Liam Murphy deferred sentence until next month for background reports, an electronic tagging assessment and a risk assessment.
McCulloch was placed on the sex offenders’ register.
The sheriff told him: “You have pleaded guilty to serious sexual offences involving a child. All sentencing options, including imprisonment, will be available to me.”
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