BELLSHILL MAN CLICKS LINK TO CHILD ABUSE IMAGES 'OUT OF CURIOSITY' — ON SEX OFFENDERS' REGISTER
A man from Bellshill, who stated that he clicked on a link to child abuse images “out of curiosity,” has been placed on the sex offenders’ register.During a hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court, it was revealed that police had recovered 278 indecent photographs and videos from the phones owned by 22-year-old Leon Swan.
Additionally, evidence showed he had shared 146 images online.
Swan pleaded guilty to downloading, possessing, and distributing material depicting the sexual abuse of children.
In his police interview, he explained: “I’m sorry.
I got a link and clicked out of curiosity.
I’ve never met a child and would never hurt a child.
I think I’m addicted and I need help to stop.” Sheriff Kevin McCallum KC postponed sentencing until July to obtain background reports, warning Swan that incarceration remains a possibility.
The sheriff commented: “It’s bad enough to possess these images, but you also distributed them.
That perpetuates the activity and stimulates the creation of more images.
I am willing to continue your bail, but that doesn’t automatically mean I won’t consider custody as an appropriate outcome.”
