STIRLING MAN GRAHAM MCKERCHAR SENTENCED TO 3 YEARS FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CRIMES

A resident of Stirling, Graham McKerchar, has been handed down a three-year prison sentence after a lengthy history of engaging in illegal activities related to child pornography. The 48-year-old was found to have amassed a staggering collection of over 56,000 images and videos depicting child abuse, a crime that spanned nearly 25 years.

McKerchar’s illicit activities began in January 1998, coinciding with the early days of widespread internet use. Over the years, he repeatedly downloaded these illegal materials, which included some of the most extreme forms of child abuse. His residence near Stirling’s Kings Park became the focus of a police raid in September 2021, marking the culmination of a detailed investigation by cybercrime officials.

During the course of the investigation, authorities uncovered evidence that McKerchar was not only downloading these disturbing images and videos but also sharing some of them with other online paedophiles. This sharing of illegal content significantly compounded the severity of his crimes, illustrating a pattern of ongoing involvement in the distribution of child exploitation material.

In court proceedings held at Stirling Sheriff Court, McKerchar appeared to face sentencing after admitting to charges of distributing and downloading child pornography in July. His legal representative, Ross Yuill, highlighted that McKerchar was employed in a responsible position within a local authority, had no previous criminal record, and had taken proactive steps to address his behavior by completing an online course through Stop It Now, an organization dedicated to preventing child sexual abuse. Yuill emphasized that this course helped McKerchar understand the profound harm inflicted on victims.

Despite these mitigating points, Sheriff Derek Hamilton underscored the gravity of McKerchar’s offenses. The sheriff noted that his crimes spanned over two decades, involving the download of more than 56,000 images, many of which were classified as extreme. McKerchar appeared in court connected to an oxygen machine, indicating ongoing health issues that required constant oxygen support.

Sheriff Hamilton condemned McKerchar’s actions as deliberate and calculated. He pointed out that the defendant had downloaded numerous videos, many of which were at the most extreme level of abuse, and had shared these images with others online. The court also heard that McKerchar engaged in conversations revealing a sexual interest in children, further demonstrating the disturbing nature of his misconduct.

The sheriff emphasized that society strongly disapproves of such behavior and that a significant sentence was necessary to serve as a deterrent. He expressed concern that McKerchar showed little remorse, questioning whether his awareness of the trauma caused to victims only emerged after completing the online course, despite his responsible job and academic background. Ultimately, the court sentenced McKerchar to three years in prison, reflecting the seriousness and ongoing pattern of his criminal conduct over many years.