Man jailed following intelligence-led operation into online child sexual abuse
A 69-year-old man has been jailed for three years and nine months following an intelligence-led operation into online child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Paul Chalmers was sentenced at Edinburgh High Court on Friday, 28 November, 2025, for the offences, which included conspiracy to rape a child.
He has also been given an order of lifelong restriction.
He was arrested by officers on Thursday, 25 January, 2024 when he travelled to Edinburgh to meet with what he believed to be a child he had been engaging with online.
He pled guilty to the offences at Glasgow High Court on Monday, 3 February, 2025.
Detective Chief Inspector David Nairn said: “Paul Chalmers is a predatory individual and, as a result of our investigation, he now faces the consequences of his sickening actions.
“He may have believed that his offending would go undetected however there is no hiding place.
“Any form of child sexual abuse is a serious criminal offence, and we encourage anyone with concerns about a child as risk of abuse, or a potential victim to contact Police Scotland on 101.
“Police Scotland’s #GetHelpOrGetCaught campaign proactively targets those who are either already offending or at risk of offending online and provides signposts to available support.”
