Radio presenter and football announcer in court after 'paedophile sting'

A radio presenter and football announcer is to face trial after being caught in an alleged paedophile sting.

Mike McLean, 78, also known as Ian McLean Smith, is accused of attempting to communicate indecently with a child and attempting to meet up with someone he thought was a boy aged 13 to 16 for sex.

McLean, stadium announcer for Stranraer FC, also worked at the time as a DJ for Quality FM, a station based at Paisley Grammar School.

On Tuesday, May 20, McLean appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court and pleaded not guilty to two charges against him.

It is alleged that over a period of almost a year, between February 18, 2024 and February 11, 2025, with the intention of obtaining sexual gratification or of humiliating, distressing or alarming someone he believed to be a child called “Stephen”, he sent him sexual communications, and made sexual remarks to him, including asking him about solo sex practises.

It is alleged he asked “Stephen” to perform a sex act, suggested they should undress together and sleep together.

It is further alleged that on February 11, 2025, he attempted to meet “Stephen” in Stirling with the intention of engaging in unlawful sexual activity.

Prosecutor Lindsey Brooks told the court: “The witness was in fact a decoy.”

Solicitor Lisa McGuigan, defending, asked for time to try to arrange legal aid funding.

Sheriff Paul Ralph set trial for July 17, with a pre-trial review on July 8.