BLIND LUNCARTY MAN WITH NEARLY 16,000 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AVOIDS JAIL
A blind paedophile named Andrew Haire, aged 37, who had downloaded nearly 16,000 child sexual abuse images and videos, was given a non-custodial sentence at Perth Sheriff Court.Sheriff Lindsay Foulis stated that he would normally send Haire to prison due to the large number of images found at his home in Miller Road, Luncarty, between October and December 2018.
However, he was spared jail because feedback from the Scottish Prison Service indicated it would be difficult to hold him there due to his condition.
The sheriff emphasized recent high court guidance advising caution when imprisoning individuals with disabilities for human rights reasons.
Sheriff Foulis explained, “I have communication from the prison service which raises serious questions as to whether – if I was to impose custody – a closed prison could provide the necessary accommodation and protection for you?
That would regard your vulnerability and the fact that you are prescribed certain medications, some of which could attract negative attention from other inmates.
There is no guarantee that custody could be safely imposed.” Haire was fined £8,000, payable at £500 per month from his benefits, and was placed on supervision for two years, also being added to the sex offenders register.
He claimed that he was attempting to download innocent pictures of a fully-clothed Angelina Jolie because he was a fan of Tomb Raider.
Additionally, he was given a conduct requirement to limit his internet access.
