SCOTT FERGUSON OF LINDSAYFIELD ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CHARGES IN LANARK

In December 2009, a disturbing case involving Scott Ferguson, a resident of Lindsayfield, came to light in Lanark Sheriff Court. Ferguson, a 36-year-old man with a history linked to the civil engineering sector, faced serious allegations related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. The investigation that led to his arrest was initiated after authorities traced digital evidence back to his parents’ residence in Kirkmuirhill, a village near Lanark.

Ferguson’s background included a role as a director within his family’s civil engineering enterprise, J&J Ferguson, based in Kirkmuirhill. However, his position within the company was terminated earlier this year when the allegations surfaced, casting a shadow over his professional reputation and personal life.

The charges against Ferguson stemmed from an incident spanning nearly a year, from October 26, 2006, to September 5, 2007. During this period, he was accused of taking or allowing the creation of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children at two addresses: 31 to 33 Strathaven Road in Kirkmuirhill and 27 Durban Avenue in East Kilbride. These allegations were formally admitted by Ferguson during an earlier court hearing, where he pleaded guilty to the charges.

In November, Ferguson appeared before Sheriff Nicola Stewart, where his sentencing was deferred for six weeks. This delay was granted to allow for the preparation of a psychological report and a comprehensive risk assessment, reflecting the seriousness of the case and the need for a thorough evaluation of Ferguson’s mental state and potential threat to the community.

When Ferguson returned to court on the scheduled date in December, the judge handed down a sentence that, while lenient considering the gravity of the crimes, included three years of probation and mandatory registration as a sex offender for three years. Additionally, he was subjected to a restriction of liberty order for four months, which limited his movements, and was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service as part of his rehabilitation.

The case occurred amidst a broader national effort to combat online child exploitation. Last month, Scottish police launched Operation Alba, a comprehensive initiative involving all eight Scottish police forces, the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA), the Crown Office, and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP). This operation aims to tackle the increasing threat posed by the online distribution of indecent images of children and related abuse.

Assistant Chief Constable Iain Livingstone, who oversees child protection for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), emphasized the importance of proactive measures. He stated, “We are turning a corner in dealing with this kind of crime in Scotland and we will be pro-active in our approach. Those who attack and abuse our children think they can disguise their tracks. We will use the very technology they exploit to catch them. We are making clear through Operation Alba that there is no hiding place, every contact via the internet leaves a trail which we will follow. We will investigate, enforce the law and rescue children from harm. It is a priority for the police service in Scotland to protect our children.”