An Omani Paedophile soldier, Hamdan Alkhamali, was apprehended by a paedophile “vigilante” organisation during his participation in the World Pipe Band Championships.
Hamdan Alkhamali, 47, was under the impression that he was conversing online with a 12-year-old girl from July to August 2024.
Instead, he was conversing with an adult from a vigilante organisation masquerading as a juvenile ‘decoy’.
Hamdan Alkhamali asserted that he intended to engage in sexual intercourse with her and acknowledged that his actions were unlawful.
Hamdan Alkhamali, representing the Omani army band, was apprehended by the vigilante group near Glasgow Green, the venue of the finals.
The event prompted discussions to extradite the first culprit from Oman to Scotland to face prosecution.
Hamdan Alkhamali admitted wrongdoing at Glasgow Sheriff Court for dispatching written correspondence to an individual he presumed to be a minor.
He was penalised £1,275 by Sheriff Matthew Jackson KC, who additionally placed him on the sex offenders registry.
The sheriff stated, “Had you been a British national, I would have requested a background report to ascertain the reasons for your criminal behaviour
“I’m satisfied in these unusual circumstances that your government and military will work to ensure that you will undergo the same sort of counselling and education that you would have in this country.
“Do not think that you are getting away with this just because you are a foreign national.
“I expect your government will give a very full undertaking to see that you get the counselling that you require.”
The court earlier heard that Hamdan Alkhamali first contacted the decoy on social media chatting application SayHi on July 29.
Hamdan Alkhamali was told by the decoy that she was 12 years old and he replied: “Age doesn’t matter, it’s just a number.”
The conversation continued on WhatsApp, where Hamdan Alkhamali turned the chat sexual.
Hamdan Alkhamali also spoke about meeting the girl and showering together in the bathroom.
He made references to keeping their conversations “private.”
Prosecutor Jenny Reid said: “He told her that he was scared about breaking the law.
“He told her that in this country, the law prohibits him from being with a minor or young girl.”
The vigilante group decided to confront Hamdan Alkhamali at Glasgow Green on August 17.
Ms Reid added: “This was due to information from Hamdan Alkhamali that he would be there to take part in the Pipe Band Championships.”
Hamdan Alkhamali told the vigilante group that he was speaking to her and he was later arrested by police.
John Scullion KC, defending, told the court that a representative of the Omani military was present in court.
The advocate said: “Hamdan Alkhamali was in the UK competing in the championships for the Omani armed forces.
“He was allowed to return to Oman and undertakings were taken by the government of Oman that he would return to the UK for court proceedings, which he has cooperated with.
“He has brought shame and embarrassment and he is aware that he let his family down as well as the military for which he expresses remorse.
“The Omani military and government are aware of the charges and they have committed to explore the issues arising from this case.”
The hearing was also told that the sheriff had received papers from the Ministry of Defence as well as the Sultan of Oman before the case called in court.
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