POSTMAN SENTENCED FOR POSSESSION OF CHILD EXPLOITATION IMAGES AND ANIMAL PORN
A postal worker from Aberdeen has been ordered to register as a sex offender after police raids uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images of children and extreme pornography involving animals.The 47-year-old man, Mark Hilliard, was suspected of possessing these illegal materials when police arrived at his residence, where they seized electronic devices, an air rifle, and cannabis plants.
The materials included videos of children as young as six and footage of adults engaging in sexual acts with animals.
During police interviews, Hilliard claimed to be interested in nudism, asserting that the children's images were downloaded from a nudist website and that he did not knowingly download indecent images.
He stated he was interested in "nudism" and that he had deleted some "risky" images after reviewing the content of downloaded packs from nudist sites.
However, an examination of his devices revealed a file with the name "Pedo Vicky The 107 Minutes Collection" and other filenames indicating child abuse material, including one that depicted a girl estimated to be between six and 11 years old.
The police found a total of one Category A video and 18 Category C still images of child sexual abuse, along with 66 images and three videos of extreme pornography involving animals.
The police also found four cannabis plants at the early stages of growth, which had potential street value but were of no immediate value.
The air rifle found was assessed as non-functional.
Hilliard admitted to a charge of possessing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, producing a controlled drug, and possessing an air rifle without a certificate.
His defence team highlighted his lack of previous criminal convictions and his regret, with his legal counsel stating he was a first offender and accepting responsibility for his actions.
The court ultimately sentenced Hilliard to a community payback order with supervision, 150 hours of unpaid work, and placed him on the sex offenders register.
He was also ordered to participate in a sex offenders program.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan, considering his lack of prior convictions, decided on a non-custodial disposal rather than jail, emphasizing the seriousness but also the potential for rehabilitation.
Hilliard acknowledged his responsibility and expressed remorse for his behaviour.
