Man who posed as schoolgirl to lure children to send explicit photos jailed

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

Ross Jameson, aged 43 and from Edinburgh, contacted eight girls using a mobile phone app and tricked them into sending indecent images and videos of themselves.

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

A judge at the High Court in Edinburgh told Jameson that the series of offences he committed against the children were "seriously disturbing and depraved".

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

Jameson originally admitted guilt when he appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on 10 February 2025 but his case was remitted to the High Court for sentencing because of its greater powers.

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 the "happy and innocent young lives" of the children targeted by Jameson were changed by his crimes.

The court heard Jameson pretended to be a 15-year-old girl named Shannon as he encouraged children to take part in sexual acts and record footage.

Some of them were offered alcohol and vapes in exchange for images.

One girl was contacted daily by Jameson, who demanded explicit material and tried to arrange a meeting with her so he could sexually assault her.

He pressured another girl multiple times a day to send nude photographs to him.

The judge ordered that Jameson 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 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."

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.

Commenting on the sentence, Det Con Fergus Kelly from Police Scotland said: "Jameson is a depraved individual who gave no thought to his victims, using them only for his sexual gratification.

"These girls were extremely vulnerable and Jameson groomed and abused them. I hope this sentence brings them and their families some comfort.

"I want to acknowledge the strength of all the girls who provided information to police in this case. Jameson's conviction is down to them."

He added that Police Scotland is committed to supporting victims of sexual crime and protecting children from harm and abuse.