Claimed child porn victims "enjoyed being abused".

Calderwood Man Avoids Jail for Child Pornography

Mark Williamson, 28, of Maxwellton Road, Calderwood, has been given a two-year supervision order after being found with nearly 5000 indecent images and video clips of children on his devices.

Williamson appeared for sentencing at Hamilton Sheriff Court on Friday. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for two years.

The court heard that the images and videos, which featured girls as young as four, were downloaded between January 2012 and June 2020. Williamson's internet history showed searches for pre-teens.

Police raided a flat in Glasgow Road, Blantyre, where Williamson was staying in June 2020, and discovered the images.

Williamson told police that he had stumbled upon the images while searching for music online. He claimed he was not sexually aroused by them but had a persistent, morbid curiosity.

He said he did not enjoy seeing children in pain and could not tell from the images whether or not they were enjoying the abuse. He also stated that their faces were often covered.

Williamson's defense lawyer argued that his client had issues but had co-operated with social work and would continue to do so. He pleaded guilty at the first hearing.

Sheriff Thomas Miller sentenced Williamson, stating he was willing to follow the recommendations of the social work report.

Williamson has also been banned from owning any device with internet access unless it has a searchable history that cannot be deleted.