COLIN HITCHCOCK FROM COLINSBURGH SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE MATERIAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN FIFE
| Red Rose Database
Colinsburgh Online Groomer
A 49-year-old man from the town of Colinsburgh, identified as Colin Hitchcock, has been convicted of sharing disturbing child abuse content through popular social media platforms, including Snapchat and Instagram. The case was heard in a court where it was revealed that Hitchcock had admitted to actively using these platforms to distribute illegal material to other individuals involved in similar criminal activities.
Judge Paul Brown, presiding over the case, decided that a community-based sentence was appropriate, citing the importance of balancing public safety with the potential for rehabilitation. The judge expressed the view that it was in the "public interest" for Hitchcock to remain at liberty while engaging with social workers and undergoing supervision. This decision was made after assessments indicated that Hitchcock showed remorse for his actions and was willing to confront his troubling behavior.
As part of his sentence, Hitchcock was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid community service. He is also required to adhere to a strict curfew, remaining indoors from 7pm to 7am for a period of four months. Furthermore, he will be under supervision for three years and must register as a sex offender for five years. The court also imposed restrictions on his interactions, explicitly banning him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16. Additionally, he is prohibited from forming new relationships or friendships without prior approval from social workers.
The charges against Hitchcock stem from his admitted involvement in the distribution and downloading of child abuse images and videos between March and May of 2022. The evidence presented in court included nearly two hours of obscene videos and numerous images depicting young girls being sexually abused. Police investigations uncovered that Hitchcock used Snapchat and Instagram to share this material, with authorities finding on his laptop evidence of him sending depraved content to other users. The court described these offenses as serious, emphasizing the need for a sentence that aims to reduce the risk of reoffending while ensuring Hitchcock is held accountable for his actions.
Judge Paul Brown, presiding over the case, decided that a community-based sentence was appropriate, citing the importance of balancing public safety with the potential for rehabilitation. The judge expressed the view that it was in the "public interest" for Hitchcock to remain at liberty while engaging with social workers and undergoing supervision. This decision was made after assessments indicated that Hitchcock showed remorse for his actions and was willing to confront his troubling behavior.
As part of his sentence, Hitchcock was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid community service. He is also required to adhere to a strict curfew, remaining indoors from 7pm to 7am for a period of four months. Furthermore, he will be under supervision for three years and must register as a sex offender for five years. The court also imposed restrictions on his interactions, explicitly banning him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16. Additionally, he is prohibited from forming new relationships or friendships without prior approval from social workers.
The charges against Hitchcock stem from his admitted involvement in the distribution and downloading of child abuse images and videos between March and May of 2022. The evidence presented in court included nearly two hours of obscene videos and numerous images depicting young girls being sexually abused. Police investigations uncovered that Hitchcock used Snapchat and Instagram to share this material, with authorities finding on his laptop evidence of him sending depraved content to other users. The court described these offenses as serious, emphasizing the need for a sentence that aims to reduce the risk of reoffending while ensuring Hitchcock is held accountable for his actions.