Andrew McAdam, 36, has been jailed for ten years and six months after being caught plotting to abuse two boys in a cross-border police operation.
McAdam, from Edinburgh, was found to have been in regular contact with Connor Cashmore, an England-based sex offender who was later jailed for 20 years for child sex crimes. While near Loch Lomond, McAdam was “encouraging” Cashmore to abuse a boy he was with, according to STV reports.
Guilty Plea and Sentence
McAdam pled guilty to nine charges, including conspiring with others to commit sexual abuse of two children and the rape of one of them, at Glasgow High Court last month. He was also given a non-harassment order and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.
The predator was snared during a probe by Greater Manchester Police in November 2022. His devices were later examined by Police Scotland, and it emerged he had “engaged in protracted communications with several paedophiles”, including “encouraging one another to sexually abuse children”.
Communications and Abuse
McAdam and Cashmore communicated via Instagram, Telegram, and sent 1,442 messages on WhatsApp. Many of the photos and video clips shared “self-destructed” after being viewed, with McAdam commenting at one stage: “Nothing is too much for me.”
Prosecutor Christopher Jones described the graphic descriptions of their discussion. McAdam told Cashmore: “You are honestly the best.” These messages eventually led to the abuse of a boy, while McAdam was in Scotland and Cashmore was in England with the child.
Mr Jones said: “Although McAdam was never present in the same room as (the boy), he participated in the sexual assault remotely by encouraging Cashmore while the abuse was going on.” McAdam also abused a boy and recorded it on his phone, sharing the footage with Cashmore.
Investigation and Impact
Cashmore was caught and pleaded guilty to 16 offences at Worcester Crown Court in October 2024, including the rape and sexual assault of a child. He was jailed for 20 years, and cops branded him “a highly dangerous and predatory individual” in what was one of the “worst cases of sexual abuse” they had seen.
McAdam also had contact with other paedophiles and shared over 100 messages with one predator. He was also caught exposing himself on the top deck of a bus in Edinburgh city centre and filming it. The offences occurred between November 2023 and September 2024.
Detective inspector Wells said: “McAdam subjected his child victim to horrific abuse, causing lasting trauma and having a profound impact on their life. Sexual crime of any kind has no place in society, and we remain committed to supporting victims and bringing those responsible to justice. I would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual assault to report it to police. Every report will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.”
