WILLIAM LAIRD FROM MACMERRY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD INDECENCY IMAGE SCANDAL

In October 2018, a former local government official from Macmerry, William Laird, was involved in a serious case concerning the possession and distribution of indecent images of children. Laird, who had previously served as an official with East Lothian Council before his retirement, was found to have downloaded such illicit material onto an electronic device at his residence on August 28 of the previous year.

The case revealed that Laird was not only in possession of these disturbing images but also engaged in the act of sharing them with others. The period during which he distributed the material spanned from December 7, 2010, to June 11, 2012. These revelations came to light during a court hearing at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, where Laird faced two charges related to his actions.

At the hearing, Laird, aged 62, admitted to both charges—possessing indecent images of children and distributing or showing these images to others. The court proceedings highlighted the gravity of his offenses, which had been committed over a lengthy period and involved material of a highly disturbing nature. Despite the seriousness of the charges, Laird’s case took a turn when Sheriff Frank Crowe acknowledged the presence of a positive social work report and noted Laird’s cooperation with the investigation.

In a decision that drew attention, Sheriff Crowe opted against imposing a custodial sentence. Instead, he sentenced Laird to an 18-month supervision order, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation and monitoring. As part of the conditions, Laird was instructed to cooperate fully with the Child Internet Safety Support Organisation (CISSO), which is tasked with overseeing the conduct of sex offenders and providing necessary support.

Furthermore, Laird was placed on the sex offenders’ register for a period of 18 months, marking a significant step in the legal process aimed at safeguarding the community. The court’s decision reflected a balance between the severity of the crimes and the potential for reform, considering Laird’s cooperation and the social work report presented during the hearing.

Earlier in September 2018, the case was still ongoing, with Laird’s fate awaiting determination after a scheduled sentencing hearing was deferred. The postponement was due to the absence of a social worker report, which was delayed because of the social worker’s ill health. During this period, Laird was reported to be attending sessions with Stop It Now, an organisation dedicated to preventing child sex abuse, indicating his participation in preventative measures.

Throughout the proceedings, Laird maintained his innocence regarding two additional charges, which included possessing extreme pornographic images depicting bestiality. These charges were accepted by the Crown, and the court proceedings focused primarily on the charges related to child indecency images. The case underscored the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and judicial authorities to address and penalize such heinous offenses, while also considering the potential for offender rehabilitation.