Man spared jail over pics of child and animal abuse

A DUNDEE hospital porter who was caught with animal and child abuse images has been banned from using social media without written permission.

Plamen Petkov had a cache of extreme material, including adult men involved in sexual activity with cows and horrific scenes of abuse featuring newborn babies.

The 33-year-old claimed the images had been downloaded automatically from a Facebook page set up to share “funny photographs and videos”.

The group had about 150 members. Petkov, from Dundee, was placed on the sex offenders register last month after he admitted two charges related to illicit files found on devices at his Kemnay Gardens home between January and June 2020.

Returning to Perth Sheriff Court for sentencing, Petkov was placed on supervision for 12 months and ordered to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work.

He was also handed a series of “conduct requirements” while he remains on the register for 12 months.

Petkov was told he cannot own more than one phone and no more than one computer or gaming console.

He must share his passwords with his supervising officer and get their approval before accessing the internet.

The restrictions mean he cannot download apps, use encryption software or view sites using private or incognito settings. He cannot go on social networking sites without permission.

Sheriff William Wood told him: “Of its type, this is not at the highest end of offending.

“But clearly it remains a serious issue as it involves possession of indecent images of children and extreme pornographic images.”

He added: “Despite the fact that these images were disturbing, you did nothing about them when they came into your possession. They were therefore retained and possessed by you in the sense intimated by the law.”

The sheriff said there was no evidence Petkov had actively been searching for illicit images.

“In these circumstances, I am not going to impose a custodial sentence,” Sheriff Wood said.

“I am content that this matter can be dealt with by way of a community-based disposal.”

Solicitor Morgan Day, defending, said a background report suggested Petkov was a “low risk” of further sexual offending.

“The events that have led to his offence have certainly given Mr Petkov some insight into online safety for himself and for others. It does appear that the material has come from this online group which he was a part of, which had a large number of members.”

Fiscal depute Michael Sweeney earlier told the court police raided Petkov’s home following a tip-off about indecent images.

He said material was found showing a three-year-old boy being forced to have sex with a woman, along with images of babies aged from zero to six months.

“They had been received through Facebook Messenger,” the fiscal depute told the court.

Petkov told police: “I used to be in these stupid Facebook chats, so I don’t know if somebody sent it to me.”

The court was told the photos and videos posted on the Facebook group were automatically downloaded on to Petkov’s devices.

“He said he did not know what the content was when he viewed the images and said he left the group due to these posts,” said Mr Sweeney.

“He denied having sexual interest in children.”