DANIEL HEAD FROM EAST KILBRIDE LIVES LESS THAN A MILE FROM FIVE PRIMARY SCHOOLS AFTER CHILD PORN OFFENSES

In April 2019, a disturbing case emerged involving Daniel Head, a resident of East Kilbride, who was found to be in possession of thousands of indecent images depicting children. Head’s residence is situated in Greenhills, and he has been living in close proximity to several primary schools in the area, raising serious concerns about community safety.

Daniel Head, aged 27, resides on Hawthorn Terrace in East Kilbride. His home is alarmingly close to five primary schools: Castlefield and South Park primaries are just 0.3 miles away; Crosshouse and St Vincent’s primaries are approximately 0.7 miles distant; and Greenhills Primary is only 0.8 miles from his residence. This means that at the shortest distance, Head lives within a five-minute walk of hundreds of school children, and at the furthest, he is merely 16 minutes away from potentially preying on pupils, a fact that has caused widespread concern among local residents and authorities.

Head appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court where he admitted to charges related to child pornography. His plea was accepted, and as a result, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of three years. The court proceedings revealed that Head had been involved in the possession and sharing of images that depicted child abuse, a serious criminal offense that has significant implications for community safety and the protection of minors.

During the hearing, Sheriff Thomas Millar expressed a willingness to impose a community-based order rather than sentencing Head to immediate imprisonment. The sheriff warned Head that he must adhere to a strict set of conditions, including attending the ‘Moving Forward, Making Changes’ program designed for offenders and refraining from using any device capable of internet access without prior approval from his supervising officer. These measures are intended to monitor and reduce the risk of reoffending.

Head’s legal representative, Margaret Chalmers, provided a statement to the court emphasizing that her client had ceased viewing child pornography. She stated, “There has been no further offending and he attended, of his own volition, a course for offenders called ‘Stop it Now’. This included writing an essay from a victim’s point of view. He now understands the serious nature of what he had become involved in.”

As part of the community safety measures, Head, along with other convicted sex offenders, is subject to monitoring under the multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA). This framework involves various agencies working together to manage offenders living within communities, ensuring that risks are minimized. Police Scotland maintains strict oversight of individuals under MAPPA, and any housing provided by local authorities is carefully assessed, taking into account environmental and security factors to prevent potential harm.

Officials from South Lanarkshire Council, including Chief Social Worker Liam Purdie, stated that they do not comment on specific cases or individuals. He emphasized that managing sex offenders in the community is a highly sensitive and complex task, requiring a careful balance between public safety and respecting individual rights. Purdie explained that all aspects of each case, from psychological assessments to housing arrangements, are thoroughly considered and monitored by dedicated police officers and partner organizations.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman highlighted that while they cannot comment on individual court decisions, they continue to collaborate with local and national agencies to prevent offending and reoffending. Their efforts include strengthening the management of registered sex offenders under MAPPA, facilitating better information sharing, and developing comprehensive risk assessment and management plans to protect communities.

Police Scotland acknowledged that placing sex offenders within society is a “very sensitive issue” and admitted that it is impossible to eliminate risk entirely. A police spokeswoman reassured the public that all reasonable steps are being taken to safeguard communities from potential harm, emphasizing the importance of ongoing vigilance and community cooperation in addressing these serious concerns.