STEVE SCOTT'S SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CRIME IN HAWICK AND FIFE

In June 2009, a disturbing case emerged involving Steven Scott, a 22-year-old man whose actions have sparked outrage and concern within the communities of Hawick and Fife. Scott, who was formerly residing at Laidlaw Terrace in Hawick and later moved to Fife, appeared in court to face charges related to the possession of indecent images of children.

According to court records, Scott admitted to downloading a significant number of child pornography images at a residence located in Oliver Park, Hawick, during the period between December 6 and December 20 of the previous year. The investigation was initiated after a flatmate of Scott’s discovered a series of deleted files on his computer, which appeared to contain paedophilic material. This discovery prompted the flatmate to inform another housemate, leading to a confrontation with Scott.

During this confrontation, Scott confessed to his flatmates that he had been downloading such material. The flatmates then reported the incident to the police, who subsequently seized the computer from the flat in January. An analysis of the device revealed a disturbing collection of 87 sexually explicit images of children, along with nine fragments of movies related to the same subject matter.

Prosecutor Mark Keane explained that Scott, when questioned by authorities, expressed remorse and described his actions as a “moment of madness.” He stated, “I know what this is about and I’m disgusted with myself, downloading child porn.” Scott further explained that he had used a file-sharing program called Limewire to access the illicit material. He claimed to have viewed the images, which he described as involving children aged 12 and above, and admitted to searching specifically for teenage pornography.

When asked about his motives and actions, Scott told police, “It was a moment of madness.” Despite his remorse, the evidence was clear, and the analysis confirmed the presence of the 87 images and nine video fragments on the seized computer. His defense lawyer, Rory Bannerman, acknowledged Scott’s immediate confession and described him as a self-employed woodcutter. Bannerman characterized the case as being at the lower end of the spectrum of such offenses, though he emphasized that the conduct was entirely unacceptable.

Bannerman also highlighted that Scott had shown revulsion towards his own actions. He explained that the images included both fully clothed children and those in nude or semi-nude poses, with some of the video fragments being aborted once Scott realized their nature. Bannerman referred to Scott’s “fortnight of madness,” suggesting that this period would have a lasting impact on him.

In sentencing, the court ordered Scott to register as a sex offender for five years, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the need for ongoing monitoring. The case has left a lasting impression on the communities of Hawick and Fife, raising awareness about the dangers and consequences of such heinous acts.