ROSS BOWMAN FROM MOTHERWELL SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE COLLECTION IN LIDL CARFIN AND NEW STEVENSON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Motherwell, Ross Bowman, aged 21, has been convicted and sentenced for possessing a vast collection of child sexual abuse images. The incident came to light after police raids uncovered thousands of indecent images and numerous video clips, revealing a disturbing pattern of behavior that has raised serious concerns about public safety and child protection.

Bowman, who resides at Airbles Tower in Motherwell, was known online by the pseudonym Boylove1995. His criminal activities came under scrutiny after law enforcement agencies conducted a coordinated operation involving officers from both sides of the border in October of the previous year. The police executed a search warrant at his family home, which led to the seizure of multiple electronic devices, including his laptop. The subsequent analysis of the digital material uncovered a staggering number of illicit images and videos.

Specifically, Bowman was found to have more than 6,000 indecent photographs and 211 video clips depicting child sexual abuse. The images were classified into categories based on their graphic content, with 700 of them being rated as either category 4 or category 5—the most severe levels of graphic material. The severity of the material was a key factor in the sentencing, as the images included some that were highly explicit and disturbing.

During the court proceedings at Hamilton Sheriff Court, Sheriff Douglas Brown emphasized the gravity of the offense. Bowman was sentenced to 20 months in prison, but the judge also issued a significant warning regarding his future conduct. He stated that Bowman would be closely monitored for a period of four years and four months following his release, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by individuals involved in such activities.

Sheriff Brown underscored the impact of possessing and sharing such images, remarking, “Those who access these images contribute to the pain and discomfort of the children and the psychological harm that results from knowing others have had a perverted pleasure at looking at them.”

Further aggravating the case was the fact that Bowman had made nearly 1,500 images, including some in the most graphic category, available for viewing by others over a span of three months. This act of distribution demonstrated a concerning level of organization and intent, suggesting a deliberate effort to circulate these harmful materials.

In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff Brown described Bowman’s behavior as almost obsessive, noting that his digital files were stored in a highly organized manner, indicating a personal interest and a serious level of collection. The background report presented in court painted a very unfavorable picture of Bowman, labeling him as a “serious collector” of indecent images and raising public protection concerns.

As part of his sentence, Bowman was also ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions aimed at safeguarding the community from potential reoffending. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for strict legal action against those involved in the possession and distribution of child abuse images.