CREEP WHO PERFORMED SEX ACT NEXT TO CHILD AVOIDS JAIL
A NORTH Ayrshire creep who filmed himself performing a sex act next to a sleeping child has avoided jail.Jordan Hewitt was given a chance at rehabilitation when he returned to Kilmarnock Sheriff Court this week.
The 24-year-old previously pleaded guilty to three charges in relation to child sexual offences when he appeared in the dock at the end of last year.
Hewitt, of Newhouse Drive in Kilbirnie, admitted possessing indecent photographs, or psuedo-photographs, of children over a four-year period from August 3, 2020 until August 13, 2024.
He also confessed to distributing the same sick content between February 1, 2023 and August 2 last year and a final charge of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child described as being under the age of 13.
The court previously heard how he had been caught by police when officers executed a search warrant at his former home, in Irvine, in August 2024.
Several electronic devices, which belonged to Hewitt, were seized before cyber crime analysis was carried out - revealing a hoard of sick content on two mobile phones.
A total of 32 indecent images of children were uncovered.
Of these, 18 were described as 'category A', 11 as being 'category B', and a further three 'category C' photographs.
A further 21 videos were found across Hewitt's devices, 19 of which were detailed as category A content and two within category B.
Cops also uncovered conversations between the 24-year-old and "like-minded individuals" via social media.
This showed that Hewitt had also shared images which were described to show a female child "altered or AI generated" to make them appear naked.
Two "self-generated" videos, created in December 2022, were also found - showing a "young female child" sleeping in a bed before the camera panned around to show Hewitt performing a sex act next to them.
Further enquiries showed that the child was unaware of the matter and no further incidents were disclosed.
Sentence was deferred following Hewitt's previous appearance so that background reports could be prepared.
He returned to the court with the papers available with solicitor Alex Muir stating these showed that an alternative to custody could be consider.
"There are a number of reasons for this to be considered appropriate," the lawyer commented.
Mr Muir noted Hewitt's age, that he had no previous convictions, made an early guilty plea and that he "showed remorse and someone who is susceptible to rehabilitation".
The solicitor added: "It seems he suffers from poor mental health and social isolation which the reporter considered a possible contributing factor.
There is more to be gained, from the community, if rehabilitation was at least attempted with this young man.
If he went into custody, it is unlikely much of that work could be done, he would come out with the same unamended attitudes." Sentencing, Sheriff Colin Bissett agreed to give Hewitt a chance to prove he could change his behaviour.
He said: "The nature of these offences are serious and more than justifies the imposition of a custodial sentence.
However, not only is it the function of the court to punish but also to rehabilitate those with prospects of staying away from further offending.
I have decided, on balance, that you are such a person." Hewitt was then given a community payback order, as a direct alternative to custody, which will see him placed under social work supervision for the next three years.
He was also ordered to complete the Moving Forward 2 Change programme during this time - an initiative aimed at addressing the behaviours of men convicted of sexual offences.
While a final aspect of the order will see the 24-year-old complete 300 hours of unpaid work over the coming 12 months.
"It is now up to you to demonstrate to me that you can rehabilitate yourself and can put this sort of offending behaviour behind you," Sheriff Bissett added.
Hewitt, who was also placed on the sex offenders register for a three-year period, will return to court for his progress to be reviewed later this year.
He will also be sentenced on another matter which the court heard this week, a breach of his bail conditions on December 2 last year, with this deferred for good behaviour.
It was stated he did so by having an internet browser, capable of deleting its history, installed on his mobile phone.
