'Depraved' paedophile who posed as schoolgirl to groom children online jailed for eight years

A predatory paedophile who posed online as a teenage schoolgirl to lure young girls into sending him explicit photos and videos has been jailed for eight years.

A judge told Ross Jameson that the series of offences he committed against the children was “seriously disturbing and depraved”.

Lady Hood said that victim impact statements in the case made “distressing reading” and told him: “They make clear the profound impact of your behaviour on these young girls.”

The judge said at the High Court in Edinburgh that the “happy and innocent young lives” of the children targeted by Jameson were changed by his crimes.

Jameson, 43, earlier admitted eight charges of causing underage girls to participate in sexual activity between August 2024 and April last year.

Six of the eight child victims were aged under 13 with one girl aged just nine years old.

The sex offender pretended to be a 15-year-old girl named Shannon as he encouraged children to take part in sex acts and record footage. Some of them were offered alcohol and vapes in exchange for images.

One girl was contacted daily by Jameson with demands for explicit material and he tried to arrange a meeting with her so that he could sexually assault her.

Another girl was pressured multiple times a day to send nude photographs to the abuser.

Jameson, formerly of Edinburgh, originally admitted the crimes when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, but his case was remitted to the High Court for sentencing because of its greater powers.

The judge ordered that Jameson should be monitored and closely supervised for a further six years following his prison term when he will be on licence and can be returned to jail if he breaches its conditions.

Lady Hood also imposed a court order on Jameson for 20 years controlling his access to electronic devices and young persons under a sexual harm prevention order.

Defence counsel Megan Davidson told the court: “I would not seek to attempt to diminish the seriousness of these offences or the harm that has been caused to all of the complainers.”

She said Jameson has had a significant period of time to reflect on his actions and behaviour towards the children and now accepted he has caused harm.

The defence counsel said a very detailed and lengthy risk assessment report was prepared on him and added: “The report shows he has shown a great deal of insight into his issues and problematic behaviour.”

She said Jameson was assessed as posing a medium risk and urged the judge to deal with him by imposing an extended sentence rather than an Order for Lifelong Restriction.

Jameson was placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely and Lady Hood made non harassment orders prohibiting him contacting or attempting to contact victims for an indefinite period.