WINCHBURGH PAEDOPHILE MICHAEL LINKSTON SENTENCED IN SHOCKING CASE

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Winchburgh, Michael Linkston, a man aged 49, was convicted and sentenced for possessing an enormous collection of indecent images and videos depicting children. The case came to light after police executed a search warrant at his residence in Tippet Knowes Park, Winchburgh, on March 1, 2019, following a tip-off that his internet activity involved downloading illegal material.

During the investigation, forensic experts uncovered a staggering amount of illicit content stored across 11 different computer hard drives. The total number of images and videos found was so high that it ranked among the largest collections ever recorded by Police Scotland. Specifically, authorities discovered 1,288 indecent videos, with 327 classified as Category ‘A’—depicting children being raped—227 in Category ‘B’ involving non-penetrative sexual abuse, and 734 in Category ‘C’ showing children posing naked or being subjected to other forms of abuse. The still images were equally disturbing, with 604 in Category ‘A’, 1,107 in Category ‘B’, and an astonishing 318,537 in Category ‘C’.

Linkston was charged with multiple offenses, including taking and making indecent images of children over a period of more than three and a half years. He also faced allegations of possessing extreme pornography, specifically material showing females engaging in sexual acts with animals, which was described as “explicit and realistic.” Despite the overwhelming evidence, Linkston maintained that he had no sexual interest in children, claiming to social workers that his actions were part of a misguided effort to police the internet by collecting snapshots of illegal content posted online, intending to alert authorities to these crimes. However, investigators found that he never contacted the police or any other law enforcement agency to report the material he had collected.

His plea of guilty to the charges was accepted by the court, and he was sentenced to 27 months in prison. The court also ordered that his name remain on the sex offenders’ register for a period of 10 years. During the sentencing hearing, Sheriff Susan Craig emphasized the severity of the case, highlighting the extensive volume of illegal material and the premeditated nature of his actions. She expressed concern that Linkston had accumulated such a vast collection over a lengthy period, storing the images on multiple hard drives without reporting them to authorities.

Sheriff Craig criticized Linkston’s explanation that he was “policing the internet,” stating that it was unconvincing and that he had failed to take any responsible action by not reporting the material. She pointed out that his denial of sexual interest in children was unlikely, as social workers believed otherwise. The court noted the aggravating factors, including the significant planning involved, the deliberate seeking out of illegal content, and the failure to take responsibility for his actions. The judge also acknowledged that, according to background reports, his sexual interest in children would likely remain a risk unless he sought treatment.

In accordance with legal guidelines, the court reaffirmed that individuals possessing such a high volume of the most serious category of images should face imprisonment unless there are exceptional circumstances. Given the evidence, Sheriff Craig concluded that there was no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence, placing Linkston at the top end of the sentencing spectrum for such offenses. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of his crimes and the need to protect the community from further harm.