SCOTT LAWSON SHOCKING CHILD ABUSE IMAGE CASE IN BRECHIN AND DRUMLITHIE

In January 2017, a disturbing case involving a convicted sex offender, Scott Lawson, unfolded in the towns of Brechin and Drumlithie. Lawson, aged 43, was found to be back on the sex offenders’ register after authorities uncovered thousands of illicit images and videos depicting child abuse on his devices.

Lawson’s home in Drumlithie was raided by police following intelligence reports indicating that his internet activity had involved the downloading of child sexual abuse material. During the police interview, Lawson admitted that he had developed a fascination with such explicit content, a revelation that added to the gravity of his case.

He appeared before Aberdeen Sheriff Court to face charges related to the possession and download of indecent images. The court was informed that the offenses took place between December 27, 2015, and April 20, 2016, while Lawson was residing at his home on Rolland Place in Drumlithie.

Prosecutor David Bernard detailed that law enforcement officials seized two computer towers and hard drives from Lawson’s residence. An examination of these devices revealed a total of 25 indecent images and videos with a combined duration of nearly an hour. Further analysis uncovered a staggering 3,183 indecent images, which had been created through screen captures from the videos.

The court was told that all the material depicted young girls aged between seven and 14 being raped and abused by adult men. The severity of the content was underscored by the police’s description of the images and videos as highly disturbing and illegal.

During police questioning, Lawson was asked about his thoughts on the videos he had been viewing. He responded candidly, saying, “Some of them are horrible, ken? Like some of the stuff I have seen, but I am nae looking for that with some sort of plan, trying to plan out some sort of life for myself. I am looking at it just because it’s there, ken?”

He was further questioned about the nature of the material. Lawson admitted, “It was just athin, and I am thinking ‘what do I do here?’ I’m seriously serious, no joke, I am thinking ‘what do I do? Do I report this or will that get me into more trouble?’”

Lawson explained that he initially came across the material while attempting to download music from a filesharing website. He confessed that he simply looked at the content and found himself fascinated by it. “I was looking at lots of different stuff, like kiddie porn, those things and athin, and I am thinking how can this be happening, ken? But I did watch it aye, I checked it out. I just liked the fascination,” he said.

When cautioned and charged, Lawson reportedly told officers, “I do not know if I am happy, but I feel a bit of satisfaction being able to move forward.”

Judge Alison Stirling, presiding over the case, ordered Lawson, who resides on Clerk Street in Brechin, to be placed back on the sex offenders’ register. The court also deferred sentencing until the following month to allow for further reports to be prepared, emphasizing the seriousness of the charges and the need for appropriate judicial consideration.