Craig Ware, 41, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to communicate indecently with children after exchanging explicit messages with an adult posing as minors in an online sting. The messages related to people he believed to be 13 and 14 years old. As an alternative to custody he was sentenced to 300 hours' unpaid work, three years' supervision, placement on the sex offenders register for three years and completion of the Moving Forward to Change programme. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints removed him from his volunteer role and said he will face ecclesiastical review.
Church Volunteer Given Community Sentence After Sending Indecent Messages In Online Sting
Craig Ware admitted the offences [BBC]
A 41-year-old former volunteer with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has admitted attempting to communicate indecently with people he believed to be underage, a court heard. Craig Ware pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to communicate indecently with children in Peterhead after exchanging explicit written messages with an individual who was posing online as children as part of a child-protection sting.
Details of the Offences
Prosecutors said the exchanges took place in two separate periods. The first set of messages, which Ware accepted were aimed at someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl, occurred between August 2024 and January 2025 and involved locations including the Clerkhill area of Peterhead and Keycraft on the town's Blackhouse Industrial Estate. The second set, aimed at someone he thought was 13, took place between February and July 2025.
The conversations were with an adult member of an online child-protection group who was attempting to identify people seeking contact with children. Those messages were passed to police, which led to Ware's arrest and prosecution.
Ware was sentenced at Peterhead Sheriff Court [BBC]
Court Outcome
At Peterhead Sheriff Court, Sheriff Robert McDonald described the case as "very serious," noting the high level of culpability and the potential for significant harm had actual children been involved. Ware was treated as a first-time offender and pleaded guilty at an early stage.
As a direct alternative to custody, Ware was ordered to complete the maximum 300 hours of unpaid work, be supervised for three years, and participate in the Moving Forward to Change offender programme. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for three years.
Background And Reaction
At the time of the offending Ware had been serving as a volunteer counsellor supporting the local congregation in Mintlaw. The church said it removed him from his assignment after learning of his arrest.
In a statement the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said it "unequivocally" condemns abuse in any form, expressed sorrow for victims, and confirmed Ware would face formal ecclesiastical review in addition to legal consequences.
Defence Remarks
Defence counsel George Hilton-Rhind told the court Ware felt "disgusted" by his actions, accepted full responsibility and expressed remorse. The solicitor said custody had been possible but a community-based disposal was available given Ware's early guilty plea and lack of previous convictions.
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