RAYMOND CARRACHER FROM JOHNSTONE FACES JUSTICE OVER CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN PAISLEY

In May 2016, Raymond Carracher, a man residing in Johnstone, found himself back in court facing serious allegations related to his previous offenses involving indecent images of children. The proceedings centered around his failure to comply with the legal requirement to register as a sex offender, a breach that carries significant legal consequences.

Carracher, aged 41 at the time, was ordered by the court to report to a police station within three days of his conviction for possessing a collection of disturbing images. This conviction was handed down on February 15, 2016, after police uncovered a cache of illicit material on his electronic devices. Despite the clear directive, Carracher did not adhere to the registration requirement, prompting further legal action.

He resides on Canal Street in Johnstone, a location notably close to Thorn Primary School, raising concerns about proximity to vulnerable children. During the court hearing at Paisley Sheriff Court, Carracher admitted to the breach of his reporting obligations, acknowledging that he had failed to sign the sex offenders’ register as mandated. The court records reveal that he had previously admitted to possessing 24 indecent images of children, with the images being collected over a period spanning from September 2009 to June 2014.

Police investigations had led to the seizure of five electronic devices from Carracher’s home, which he shares with his father. These devices were subsequently examined by specialists from the Cyber Crime Unit, who confirmed the presence of highly disturbing material. Some images were classified at level four, indicating a severity second only to the most extreme category of such content.

Authorities responded swiftly upon realizing Carracher had not registered as required. Depute fiscal Hazel Emerson explained the situation: “He pled guilty to the offence on February 15 and was told he had three days to register his personal details with the police. On February 18, a police officer made inquiries and found that Mr. Carracher had failed to attend within the three-day period. Officers attended his home, but he was not present, so they left a card. He attended Johnstone police station the following day.”

During the hearing, Carracher’s defense solicitor, Amy Spencer, argued that the failure to register was an oversight rather than an intentional act. She stated, “He was actually intending to go to the police station with his passport and documents on February 19. That was as a result of confusion, rather than a deliberate attempt to avoid his responsibilities. He is subject to strict supervision and is complying with the order imposed on him.”

Sheriff Robert Fife acknowledged the explanation but emphasized the seriousness of the breach, describing it as a “very serious offence.” Ultimately, he imposed a fine of £300 on Carracher, underscoring the gravity of the violation.

Earlier in March 2016, Carracher’s case had garnered attention when it was revealed that he had been caught with a disturbing collection of child images. Police raided his Canal Street residence, seizing five electronic devices, including a computer, laptop, and mobile phone. The images found depicted children as young as eight being sexually assaulted, a revelation that shocked the community.

Specialist officers from the Cyber Crime Unit confirmed that some of the images were graded at level four, indicating a high level of severity. They also discovered that Carracher had been actively searching for illegal child pornography on one of his laptops. He was arrested and charged with possessing these images, which he admitted to between September 2009 and June 2014, at Paisley Sheriff Court.

During the proceedings, Carracher’s plea was accepted, and the court was informed that a deal had been struck: a related charge alleging that he had created child porn by downloading the images was dropped. The judge, Sheriff McKenna, released Carracher on bail and ordered a social work assessment, deferring sentencing until March 8. Despite the potential for a five-year prison sentence, Carracher was spared jail time, instead being placed on a three-year probation order, which would involve ongoing monitoring by social services.

In a prior incident in February 2016, authorities uncovered Carracher’s extensive collection of illegal images and videos at his home, again near Thorn Primary School. The police raid revealed dozens of disturbing pictures and videos involving children as young as eight. The images were stored across multiple devices, including his computer, laptop, and mobile phone. The investigation also uncovered searches related to child pornography, highlighting the extent of his illicit activity.

Carracher, then 40, appeared in court dressed in a black hooded top, sitting silently as the depute fiscal detailed the graphic nature of the images. His defense argued that he was suffering from serious health issues and requested that bail be continued, emphasizing his care responsibilities for his elderly father. The court, while disturbed by the case, chose not to remand him in custody immediately, instead ordering a report from social workers before sentencing. Carracher’s previous conviction was also taken into account, and he was scheduled to return to court on March 8 to learn his fate.