A SELF-CONFESSED “porn addict” from Coatbridge has avoided a jail sentence, despite possessing images of children being sexually abused.
Lee McArthur, 21, of Kirkshaws, downloaded the child pornography – some at the most severe levels – when he was a teenager, moving on to illegal images after initially becoming addicted to watching adult porn.
McArthur, of Rosepark Cottages, pled guilty in March at Airdrie Sheriff Court to having indecent images of children on his laptop at home between April 2013 and December 2014.
Prosecutor Anne-Frances Hilley said: “The offence happened at the family home. The devices used were found in his bedroom.
“Police, acting on information received nationally online, applied for a search warrant. Cybercrime detectives raided the property last May and officers seized a laptop and a mobile phone.”
A preliminary search found 31 indecent images of children, both still and moving.
Defence lawyer Eddie Kelly said: “He has been seeing a psychiatrist and frankly admits he has an addiction to adult pornography and struggles to deal with it.
“He progressed to other types, of an illegal nature, with the younger age group focusing his attention.
“Mr McArthur does have an insight and empathy for the victims and has shown a willingness to rid himself of his addiction.
“This could only be done with the imposition of a community payback order and supervision.”
Mr Kelly continued: “So far as the gravity of the offence is concerned, there is no attempt to minimise the seriousness. The majority of the images found were moving and across all categories.
“He has no friends and is very much a loner and has no structure to his spare time. He is in the final year of a college degree.
“A non-custodial sentence would not be seen as a soft option.”
Sentencing McArthur, Sheriff Derek O’Carroll told him: “I have to take everything into account which has been ably put forward by your solicitor, including your age and the risk you pose.
“These are serious charges but, very much on balance, there is an alternative to a custodial sentence.”
McArthur was tagged for six months and ordered to remain at home each day from 7pm until 7am. He was also put on supervision for three years and ordered to carry out the maximum of 300 hours community service within nine months.
Additionally, he was ordered to inform his supervisors of all internet devices he possesses, including passwords and to make them available at any time, day or night, for inspection. He was banned from deleting any browsing history or searches.
McArthur was also put on the sex offenders’ register for three years and ordered to return to court in July for a review of the order.
March 2016
A 21-YEAR-OLD Coatbridge man has been put on the sex offenders’ register and told he faces a prison sentence after being caught with child abuse images he downloaded as a teenager.
Lee McArthur, of Kirkshaws, pleaded guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court to having indecent images of children between 2013 and 2014.
Prosecutor Anne Frances Hilley told the court: “The offence happened at the family home where he stays with his parent. The devices used were found in his bedroom.”
Cyber crime detectives carried out an early-morning raid at McArthur’s home on May 6 last year and seized a laptop and mobile phone.
Ms Hilley continued: “A preliminary search found indecent images of children, both still and moving. A total of 39 were found.”
McArthur was arrested but made no comment to police.
Defence lawyer Eddie Kelly said: “He has been seeing a psychiatrist as of late.”
McArthur denied being in possession of indecent photographs of children between April 2013 and May 2015, which was accepted by the Crown.
Sheriff Derek O’Carroll told McArthur: “I can’t sentence you just now. You are a first offender.
“I will call for a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order. Prison is a very lively possibility and all options are open.”
Sentence was deferred until March 29 and McArthur was released on bail.
He was put on the sex offenders’ register and told the length of time would be decided when he is sentenced
