MARK GOLIGHTLY CAUGHT IN HADDINGTON WITH CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES BUT ESCAPES PRISON

In a case that has shocked the community of Haddington, Mark Golightly was found to be in possession of a significant collection of child sexual abuse images and videos. The incident came to light in May of the previous year when Golightly, who resides on Riverside Drive in Haddington, inadvertently left his mobile phone on a bus after work. A female colleague, who intended to return the device the following day, discovered two text messages that raised immediate concern. These messages contained references to the abuse of young children, prompting her to hand the phone over to the police authorities.

Upon investigation, law enforcement officials uncovered a disturbing cache of digital material. The police found 40 text messages on Golightly’s phone that included images and video clips depicting children aged between six and sixteen engaged in sexual acts. The material was not only explicit but also classified at a high severity level, with 35 images graded as level four, indicating the second most severe category of child pornography.

Golightly admitted to possessing these illicit images and claimed they had been sent to him through internet chatrooms. Further searches of his residence revealed additional evidence: ten DVDs and a USB storage device containing a total of 242 images of child abuse. The authorities confirmed that the collection included over 280 images and video clips, all of which depicted children being exploited sexually.

Golightly, who is known to live with his parents, has a prior conviction for a similar offence dating back to 2003. During police interviews, he expressed a sense of helplessness, stating that he “just couldn’t stop himself.” His criminal record and the nature of the offences led to a serious legal case at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

Last Thursday, Sheriff James Scott presided over the case and delivered a verdict that drew both relief and concern from the community. Instead of sentencing Golightly to prison, the sheriff opted for a probation order, citing the importance of rehabilitation and public safety. Golightly was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to complete 200 hours of community service. Additionally, he was prohibited from being alone with children under the age of 16 and was banned from using the internet without supervision.

Sheriff Scott expressed his reservations about the leniency of the sentence, stating, “It is with considerable hesitation that I refrain from sending you to prison for a very substantial period today.” He emphasized that the decision was made in the interest of public protection, believing that the conditions attached to the probation would serve the community better.

Furthermore, Golightly was mandated to participate in a community sex offenders’ programme and attend the sex offenders’ liaison service, aiming to reduce the risk of reoffending. The case highlights ongoing concerns about the dangers posed by individuals with a history of such offences and the challenges faced by the justice system in balancing punishment with rehabilitation.