ALAN ANDREW'S SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE IN IRVINE: MAN SPARED JAIL DESPITE 11,000 OFFENSIVE IMAGES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Irvine, Alan Andrew, a 53-year-old man, was found to have accumulated an alarming collection of over 11,000 illicit images and videos depicting the abuse of babies and children. The offences spanned nearly a decade, with the material being created, taken, or permitted at an address in Castlepark, Irvine, between May 1, 2008, and June 21 of the previous year.

Andrew appeared before Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, where he sat with his head bowed in the dock as his defense solicitor, Roselyn Gallen, addressed the court. She painted a bleak picture of the impact his actions had on his personal life and his family, emphasizing that his conduct had led to the destruction of his reputation and relationships. Mrs. Gallen highlighted that Andrew’s 14-year-old son had suffered immensely due to the media coverage surrounding the case, which had been broadcast both locally and nationally. She expressed concern that a custodial sentence might be imposed, noting that Andrew was burdened with significant debts and that a prison term could force the sale of his family home.

Despite the severity of the charges, which included images classified from Category A to C in terms of severity, Sheriff Iona MacDonald decided against sending Andrew to prison. Instead, she sentenced him to 250 hours of unpaid community service and ordered him to register as a sex offender for three years. The sheriff justified her decision by stating that a community-based approach would be more beneficial for the public, especially considering the risk assessment which suggested that education through a program requirement would be more appropriate. She concluded that a community payback order for three years was the most suitable punishment under the circumstances.

Earlier in May 2018, Andrew had already admitted to making and possessing child sexual abuse images during a court appearance at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court. He pleaded guilty to two charges related to indecent images of children, acknowledging that the offences occurred over a nine-year period from May 1, 2008, to June 21, 2017, at an address in Irvine.

Following his guilty plea, Andrew was placed on the Sex Offenders Register on May 14, but sentencing was deferred to allow for the preparation of criminal justice social work reports. The court scheduled a future hearing later in the year to determine his final sentence, which remains pending.

Throughout the proceedings, the case has drawn significant attention due to the disturbing nature of the offences and the leniency of the sentence, sparking debate about the appropriate punishment for such grave crimes in the Irvine community.