JONATHAN MCGREGOR FROM ARMADALE AND BUSHMILLS ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL

In a case that has shocked the communities of Armadale and Bushmills, Jonathan McGregor, aged 50, was found to possess an alarming collection of indecent images depicting children engaged in sexual acts. The investigation was initiated after authorities identified a specific IP address linked to McGregor’s residence, which was used to access and download numerous illicit images.

On March 10, 2020, police officers executed a search warrant at McGregor’s home in Harestanes, Armadale, West Lothian. The raid was prompted by intelligence suggesting that his online activity involved the viewing and downloading of child abuse material. During the search, law enforcement seized several electronic devices, including a mobile phone and a PlayStation gaming console, both of which were subjected to detailed forensic analysis.

The examination revealed a disturbing cache of images stored on these devices. McGregor’s mobile phone contained four videos classified as Category ‘A’, which are considered the most severe in terms of content, along with 31 images categorized as ‘C’. The PlayStation, which also served as a storage device, was found to contain a large number of illicit images: 74 in Category ‘A’, 76 in Category ‘B’, and an overwhelming 1,098 in Category ‘C’.

During police interviews, McGregor admitted that the items seized from his bedroom belonged to him and confirmed that he was aware of their contents. He pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children, with the offences spanning from October 18, 2019, to March 3, 2020. The court also heard that he had downloaded photographs onto his mobile phone showing minors being subjected to sexual acts, which added to the severity of the case.

McGregor’s legal representatives acknowledged his guilty plea and noted that he had since moved from Scotland to reside in Mount Pleasant, Bushmills, Northern Ireland. The Crown accepted pleas of not guilty regarding allegations of taking indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography involving adults and animals, which were subsequently dismissed.

In sentencing, Sheriff Martin Edington emphasized that McGregor would be subject to a sexual offences prevention order issued by authorities in Northern Ireland. The sheriff also pointed out that McGregor had no previous convictions related to similar offences, with his criminal record limited to two minor traffic violations from 2004.

As part of the court’s ruling, McGregor was sentenced to a two-year supervision order, during which he will be monitored and required to comply with specific conditions. Additionally, he will be subject to the notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for the same period, ensuring ongoing oversight of his activities to prevent further offending.