Scots drag queen nursery teacher appears in court charged with child sex offences

A nursery teacher who also performs as a drag queen has appeared in court charged with child sex offences.

Craig Baxter appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court today, January 13, 2026, to face two charges.

Prosecutors claim he caused an older child to look at a sexual image.

He also faces a charge in relation to meeting, intending to meet or planning to engage in sexual activity with someone aged under 16.

Baxter, of Paisley, was sacked from his job as a nursery teacher in the Renfrewshire town following his arrest in October.

The 32-year-old, who performs as a drag queen on the adult entertainment circuit, made no plea to the two charges he faced during the hearing today.

The case against him was continued for prosecutors to investigate further.

He was released on bail by Sheriff Kevin Duffy and no future court dates have been set.

The first charge Baxter faces is brought under Sections 33 and 34 of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.

Section 33 states that someone commits the offence if they caused "a child who has attained the age of 13 years, but has not attained the age of 16 years, to look at a sexual image".

Section 34 states: "If a person, who has attained the age of 16 years, intentionally... sends, by whatever means, a sexual written communication to or directs, by whatever means, a sexual verbal communication at, a child who has attained the age of 13 years, but has not attained the age of 16 years, then commits an offence, to be known as the offence of communicating indecently with an older child."

The second charge is brought under Section 1 of the Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005.

The case against Baxter came after children reported online messages to paedophile hunters.

The youngsters approached members of the Fighting Justice Against Predators organisation while they were on a protest in Johnstone, Renfrewshire.

After seeing messages Baxter is accused of sending, the group contacted police.

Officers arrested him and the was later sacked from his job.