JOHN MACMILLAN FROM BELLSHILL AND MOSSEND INVOLVED IN CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CASE AT HAMILTON SHERIFF COURT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Bellshill, Mossend, and Newarthill, John MacMillan, a 60-year-old IT teacher, faced serious allegations related to the possession of indecent images of children and explicit material involving animals. The case was heard at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where MacMillan was found to have committed these offenses over a span of several years, raising concerns about the safety and oversight of individuals in positions of trust within the educational sector.

MacMillan, residing at Beechwood Gardens in Mossend, was accused of possessing a collection of child abuse images on his personal computer. These images were not only stored at his home but also on the premises of Brannock High School in Newarthill, where he served as an information technology teacher. The offenses reportedly took place over a three-year period, during which he accessed and stored these illicit materials at different locations, including his residence and his workplace.

The court proceedings revealed that in January of this year, MacMillan also admitted to possessing 'extreme' pornographic images, which depicted humans and animals engaged in sexual acts. These images were obtained on various dates, further complicating the case and highlighting the severity of the allegations against him.

During the hearing, MacMillan’s defense attorney, Nicholas Scullion junior, explained that his client had turned to child pornography as a way to fill a personal void following the breakdown of his relationship. Despite the shock expressed by his family and friends, they have committed to supporting him through this difficult period. Mr. Scullion also noted that MacMillan has been actively participating in a support group for individuals who have committed similar offenses, aiming to manage and control his urges.

He emphasized that MacMillan is a first-time offender with a previously good reputation and character. The lawyer stated, “He is genuinely sorry, knows he did something very wrong and has taken steps to prevent it happening again.”

In response, Sheriff Douglas Brown indicated a willingness to accept a social work recommendation that would see MacMillan serve a community payback order instead of a custodial sentence. As part of this order, MacMillan will be supervised closely, required to complete 270 hours of unpaid community service, and will be prohibited from having unsupervised contact with individuals under 17 or accessing the internet without prior approval from his supervising officer.

A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council confirmed that immediate action was taken once the allegations surfaced, stating, “Mr. MacMillan no longer works for this council.” This move underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the case and their commitment to safeguarding students and the community.

Earlier in November 2013, MacMillan’s life took another turn when he was caught with child abuse images on his computer. Despite his role as a teacher who instructed pupils on online safety, he was found to have downloaded and stored illegal images, including those depicting sexual acts involving animals. The police investigation was initiated after a tip-off led to a raid on his home in Bellshill and his office in nearby Newarthill.

MacMillan, who had been a respected computing and IT teacher at Brannock High School, pleaded guilty to possessing these indecent images spanning from January 2010 to January 2013. The case was scheduled for sentencing at Hamilton Sheriff Court, but a procedural error caused a delay. A warrant for his arrest was mistakenly issued in court three while he was present in court six, where a different individual, J. MacMillan, was due to appear. This administrative error resulted in MacMillan being sent to the wrong court, postponing his sentencing to a later date.

The case continues to draw attention to the importance of vigilance and thorough background checks for individuals entrusted with the education and safety of young people, especially in communities like Bellshill, Mossend, and Newarthill, where residents are now awaiting further legal developments.