iStockA man caught trying to organise the rape of a 12-year-old girl faces a life sentence.
Paul Chalmers, 68, believed he was chatting online to the mum of the girl who instead was an undercover police officer posing as a decoy.
Chalmers arranged to meet the pair at a hotel in Edinburgh which he booked for January 25, 2024.
Instead, Chalmers was tailed by police officers and arrested.
The offence is Chalmers’ six conviction of a sexual nature which stretches back to the year 2000.
Chalmers first received 250 hours of unpaid work for downloading 100 indecent images of children on his computer.
Chalmers, formerly of Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, resigned at that time from his role at the Royal Bank of Scotland after 27 years due to the charges he faced
He has also been jailed twice for communicating sexually with other decoys posing as 13-year-old girls.
Chalmers has now pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow to attempting to conspire to commit rape and sexual assault.
He further admitted sending sexual communications to someone he believed was a child.
The court heard that Chalmers used the name ‘Pete67’ on the Chatiw app and spoke with a profile named ‘Megan Fraser’ – a 35-year-old mum of a 12-year-old girl.
Chalmers stated that he was 67, from Glasgow, and had been employed in banking and stock taking.
Chalmers said that the girl was a “lovely age” and asked if she had “experience with a man.”
The chat continued over text messages where he stated that he was “sexually open minded.”
Chalmers claimed that he would pay the woman £250 to have sexual contact with her daughter.
There was also talk of them meeting regularly for further sexual acts.
Prosecutor Caroline MacBride said: “Chalmers made arrangements with her to meet the 12-year-old at a…hotel in Edinburgh.
“He said he had booked a room and could meet them after 3pm.
“Chalmers used a credit card to pay for a family room for one night.”
Chalmers was arrested close to the main door of the hotel on January 25 2024.
The hearing was earlier told Chalmers had communicated with another undercover decoy posing as a 12-year-old girl around the same time.
Chalmers continued to chat with the decoy after she had told him her age.
He stated to her that he had met a 13-year-old in the past and had “sexual activity” with her.
Chalmers said that he liked “young girls”, was “sexually aroused” and said he would like to meet her before the communication was stopped.
Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Judge Lord Mulholland who continued Chalmers’ remand in custody meantime.
The judge said: “All options are open including an order for lifelong restriction.
“You have a big problem and I have to protect the public from you – particularly young girls.
“Don’t be under any illusions of what is coming your way – this is the High Court and you pled guilty to serious offences.
“You should be ashamed of yourself.”
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