A creep snared with images and videos of youngsters being sexually abused has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
William Reid, 33, was rooted out by cops who swooped on his parents’ home in Erskine following a tip-off from child protection officers working in Renfrewshire.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard officers armed with a search warrant swooped on the property where they were let in by Reid’s dad.
Procurator fiscal depute Mark Nicol said: “Following the receipt of intelligence in relation to indecent images of children police officers were granted a warrant to search the locus.
“At 8.45am on August 27, 2019, police witnesses attended and the door was answered by the accused’s father.
“Other family members were also in the house.
“William Reid arrived home from work minutes later.
“A systematic search commenced for any electronic device capable of storing images.
“Two HP laptops were recovered from the loft area, which was being used by the accused as a bedroom.
“The search was completed by 11.10am and he was arrested and taken to Govan Police office for questioning.”
The court heard forensic analysis of the two computers used only by Reid revealed the presence of indecent photos and video files of children.
The prosecutor added a particular email address used only by the accused was present on the laptops and he was the only person with access to the devices.
Mr Nicol said 23 unique images at Category A, the worst level of classification, nine unique images at Category B and 21 unique images at Category C, were discovered.
He added cyber crime officers also found one Category B video, and one Category C video, depicting child abuse.
Reid, of Erskine, appeared in the dock where he pleaded guilty to a charge of having in his possession indecent images of children on dates between October 11, 2018 and August 27, 2019.
Defence agent Tony Callahan confirmed his client was pleading guilty to the charge.
However he opted to withhold making his submission in defence of Reid until after the court obtains background reports in preparation for sentencing him.
Sheriff Colin Pettigrew told him he was adjourning matters to “assess the risks” he poses and that “by reason of the nature of the offence,” he was being placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
Reid was released on bail with special conditions preventing him from using the
internet.
He will discover his fate when he appears back at court on April 28.
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