DUNDEE PAEDOPHILE MATTHEW WATT SENTENCED AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGES FOUND ON HIS DEVICES

Matthew Watt, a 24-year-old resident of Dundee, has been placed on the sex offender register following a police investigation that uncovered disturbing child abuse images on his electronic devices. Despite being acquitted of a trans-Atlantic sextortion scam and related extortion charges, authorities found concrete evidence of his involvement in the possession of illegal content involving minors.

Watt admitted to downloading indecent images of children over a period spanning from July 2019 to May 2020. He also confessed to possessing illicit material from April to May 2020. The court imposed strict conditions on his conduct, including a prohibition on any unaccompanied contact with individuals under the age of 18. These measures are part of a broader effort to prevent any potential reoffending and to protect minors from harm.

During the trial, Watt faced accusations of extortion and attempted extortion, specifically involving nude images of victims. However, the jury ultimately found him not guilty of these charges. Despite this, the court acknowledged that Watt had previously admitted to other charges related to child abuse images, which contributed to the severity of his sentencing.

Law enforcement officials conducted a thorough search of Watt’s residence in Dundee, during which they recovered a mobile phone and a computer tower. Both devices contained explicit images and videos depicting child abuse. Among the most disturbing evidence was a three-minute video clip showing a girl aged between 12 and 14 being raped. Watt claimed that his actions were influenced by alcohol consumption, which he believed contributed to his behavior.

As part of his sentencing, Watt is now required to register all internet-enabled devices with authorities to monitor his online activity and prevent further offenses. Additionally, he has been mandated to participate in the Tay programme, a rehabilitation initiative aimed at addressing sexual offending behaviors. Watt will be under supervision for a period of three years, during which he must adhere to strict restrictions.

One of the key court orders prohibits Watt from spending any time alone with minors under the age of 18. This restriction is designed to minimize any risk of contact that could lead to further harm. His sentencing follows an earlier trial where he was found not guilty of attempting to blackmail individuals into sending explicit images. However, Watt had previously admitted to requesting such images, claiming it was part of a college project at Dundee and Angus College, where he was studying art and design at the time of these offenses.

The court also heard testimony from a woman in Virginia who was targeted by Watt for blackmail and threats, as well as a transgender individual who Watt threatened to blackmail for explicit selfies. These incidents highlight the extent of Watt’s misconduct beyond the initial charges. His behavior was believed to be heavily influenced by alcohol, which the court considered during sentencing. The judge deferred the final decision, pending further reports, with the possibility of imprisonment if deemed necessary based on his rehabilitation progress.