MARK WILLIAMSON FROM CALDERWOOD ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN EAST KILBRIDE AND BLANTYRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, Mark Williamson, a resident of Calderwood, was brought before Hamilton Sheriff Court in May 2019 to face serious allegations related to child pornography. The court proceedings revealed the extent of his offenses, which involved the possession and download of nearly 5,000 indecent images and video clips depicting children. These illicit materials were found on devices belonging to Williamson, who admitted to engaging in these activities over a period spanning from January 2012 to June of the previous year.

During the hearing, the prosecution, led by Fiscal depute Paula Russell, detailed the disturbing nature of the content Williamson had accessed. She stated that the girls featured in the images could have been as young as four years old. Furthermore, her investigation uncovered that Williamson’s internet browsing history included searches for terms like ‘pre-teens,’ indicating a troubling preoccupation with very young children.

The police investigation was initiated after a raid on a flat in Glasgow Road, Blantyre, where Williamson was staying at the time. The authorities found substantial evidence linking him to the possession of child exploitation material. Williamson’s own statements to police revealed a disturbing attitude; he claimed that a “distinction should be drawn between teenagers and those under the age of 12.” He also admitted that he had “stumbled upon” the images while searching online for music, attempting to justify his actions.

Despite the gravity of his offenses, Williamson, aged 28, appeared at the court to face sentencing. The court heard that he had expressed that he was “not sexually aroused by them,” but claimed to have a “persistent, morbid curiosity.” Ms. Russell emphasized that Williamson had insisted he did not enjoy seeing children in pain, yet he could not definitively tell whether the children in the images were suffering or not, as their faces were often obscured. Some images appeared to suggest that the children might have been enjoying the abuse, which added to the severity of the case.

In delivering his judgment, Sheriff Thomas Miller acknowledged the detailed report presented to him and indicated he was inclined to follow the recommendations outlined within it. As part of his sentence, Williamson was given a two-year supervision order and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for the same duration. Additionally, the court imposed restrictions on his access to devices with internet capabilities, banning him from owning any unless they could store a search history that could not be deleted, aiming to prevent further offenses.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and the challenges faced in prosecuting offenders who attempt to justify or downplay their actions. The community remains vigilant, and authorities continue to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable children from such heinous crimes.