MARK HENDRON FROM PEEBLES CAUGHT WITH OVER 1000 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES IN SHOCKING POLICE RAID

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Peebles, police uncovered a staggering collection of more than 1,000 indecent images of children on the computer of 37-year-old Mark Hendron. The investigation was initiated after authorities received intelligence in June 2013 indicating that someone using an internet connection at Hendron’s residence was accessing illicit material involving minors.

On June 11, police executed a search warrant at Hendron’s home on Kittlegairy Road in Peebles at approximately 8:50 am. When officers arrived, Hendron was present along with his wife. During the search, they seized a laptop and an external hard drive for examination. The police findings were alarming: the devices contained an extensive collection of indecent images of children, with the total exceeding 1,000 photographs. Among these images, some were found in the recycle bin, suggesting an attempt by Hendron to delete evidence.

Prosecutor Tessa Bradley detailed the nature of the images and the investigation’s findings during an earlier court hearing. She explained that the images were predominantly classified as level one, which depict children in pornographic poses without sexual activity. Additionally, the search terms used by Hendron, such as “Lolita teen” and “nudist kids,” indicated a search for material involving minors. The police also discovered search terms on the devices that pointed to an explicit interest in child abuse imagery.

During police interviews, Hendron claimed that he had come across some of these indecent images years ago but had deleted them once he realized their nature. He maintained that he was unaware that search terms like “Lolita teen” would lead to paedophilic content. Hendron stated that he owned the laptop and that he had been searching the internet for adult pornography when he inadvertently encountered these images. He denied actively searching for child abuse material, asserting that he was unaware of the specific content associated with certain search terms.

Further analysis revealed that most of the images were classified as level one, with a smaller number at levels two and four, indicating varying degrees of explicitness. The court heard that Hendron’s actions and possession of such material warranted serious legal consequences. His defense attorney, Mat Patrick, noted that Hendron had resigned from his employment, possibly as a result of the investigation.

At the sentencing hearing held at Selkirk Sheriff Court, Hendron was handed a community payback order lasting two years and four months. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work within the following 12 months. Additionally, Hendron was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of five years, reflecting the gravity of his offenses.

In a related case from March 2014, authorities had previously raided Hendron’s Peebles home and found similar illicit images on his laptop. The court had then also placed him on the sex offenders’ register, emphasizing the ongoing concern surrounding his actions. As the legal proceedings continue, social workers are preparing background reports to inform the upcoming sentencing scheduled for April 14, where Hendron’s full sentence and the implications of his actions will be formally determined.