Child Porn and Images of Bestiality Found on Sex Fiend's Computer

A child molester, John Wilson, who used his dog to threaten his young victims was found to have a cache of child pornography and images of bestiality stored on his computer.

A judge today ordered that Wilson should be detained in prison ahead of sentencing because of the "extremely serious" nature of the offences.

Wilson, 46, admitted indecency offences against two girls. The High Court in Edinburgh heard that on one occasion he had been left alone with one of his victims while the rest of her family went to church.

The teenager was watching television in a bedroom when he came in and pushed her onto a bed. He performed a sex act on the 14-year-old and grabbed the dog and held it to her. When the victim tried to push the animal away he held her down by the arms and legs.

The court heard that Wilson, of Andrew Avenue, Bathgate, West Lothian, had previously molested the same victim as a younger child when he was left to look after her as her mother went out working in the evening.

Wilson also told the victim when she was 16 that he would give her cigarettes but wanted "something in return" and exposed himself and tried to get her to carry out a sex act on him. The girl's behaviour later became aggressive and violent and she was referred to social services and offered "anger management."

A second girl, who was aged 11 at the time, was also abused by Wilson. One of the victims was interviewed by police in June 2006 and the following day they received information about images stored on Wilson's computer.

Advocate depute Adrian Cottam said officers from a forensic computer unit examined the hard drive which was seized.

He said: "They found that the accused had been actively searching for, viewing and downloading images of bestiality."

"They also found that he had downloaded 140 indecent images and video files of children and had actively been sharing this type of material," said the prosecutor.

Wilson, who earned £30,000 a year as a service engineer, admitted downloading and viewing the material because he said he was "curious about them," said Mr Cottam.

But he said he was not aware he was sharing images. Wilson admitted three charges of indecent behaviour committed at a house in West Lothian between 1999 and 2006 and a further offence of indecent assault.

He also pled guilty to an offence of possessing indecent photos or pseudo-photos of children with a view to them being distributed or shown.

Defence solicitor advocate Jim Keegan said Wilson's work took him to factories in Britain installing and repairing machines and he had never been in trouble before.

He said: "He says he is deeply ashamed of his behaviour and appreciates how serious this is."

The defence lawyer said Wilson was under "no illusions" over the likely outcome of the court proceedings, but asked for his bail to be continued to a sentencing date.

But Lord Malcolm ordered that Wilson should be remanded in custody and told him: "You have pled guilty to extremely serious offences."

The judge placed Wilson on the sex offenders' register and called for a background report and risk assessment.

Edinburgh News