MALCOLM MCROBERT SHOCKS BEARSDEN WITH OVER 9000 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES

A 77-year-old man from Bearsden, Malcolm McRobert, has been found guilty of possessing an alarming collection of more than 9,000 indecent images of children. The case, which has sent shockwaves through the local community, was heard at Dumbarton Sheriff Court, where McRobert faced sentencing after admitting to the possession of these disturbing materials.

The offences occurred over a period stretching from October 19, 2022, to September 15, 2023, at a property located on Kessington Road in Bearsden, as well as other unspecified locations. The court was informed that the images were stored across three different devices, including two laptops and an external hard drive. Among these images, 2,676 were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of indecency.

When McRobert appeared before the court in December to plead guilty, the prosecution detailed the extent of his possession, emphasizing the significant number of images involved. The court was told that the total collection comprised 9,490 images, a figure that Sheriff William Gallacher described as 'still significant,' given the nature of the content.

During the sentencing hearing on February 3, McRobert's defence solicitor highlighted her client's efforts to confront his actions. She revealed that, the day after his arrest, McRobert approached a charity organization to address his behaviour, demonstrating some level of remorse. She also pointed out that there was some duplication of images across his devices, which slightly reduced the overall count. Despite this, the sheriff acknowledged the gravity of the offence, noting that the material was 'deeply unpleasant' and caused considerable harm to children.

In mitigation, the solicitor stated that McRobert, who has no prior criminal record, had been alienated from his family due to his actions. She emphasized that he had come to understand the impact of his behaviour, especially as a father and grandfather, recognizing that these images represented real harm rather than mere digital files.

Sheriff Gallacher expressed his concern over the nature of the images, stating, 'Children were harmed considerably.' He made it clear that this was not a minor offence or a one-time incident, but a serious breach with long-lasting implications. Despite the severity, the sheriff decided against a custodial sentence, opting instead for a community-based punishment.

As part of his sentence, McRobert was placed under a community payback order for three years. He is required to cooperate with social workers, submit all electronic devices for inspection, and refrain from unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16. Additionally, he must complete 160 hours of unpaid community work within the next year and will be registered as a sex offender for three years.

This case underscores the ongoing concerns surrounding the possession and distribution of child exploitation material, and the serious legal consequences faced by offenders in the Bearsden area.