CHILD ABUSE PICTURES FIEND IN HOSPITAL WITH CANCER DYING OAP PERVERT MAY NEVER FACE JUSTICE
A paedophile pensioner could evade justice because he is battling cancer in hospital.
Osborne Carline, 79, was nabbed with a stash of child sex abuse images – including babies being tortured.
But his lawyer revealed he may never be fit to appear in the dock and could be nearing end- of- life care.
The retired hairdresser admitted possessing the vile cache at an earlier hearing in Paisley Sheriff Court.
Defence solicitor Gordon Williams
revealed his client’s health is failing.
He said: “I appear on behalf of Mr Carline.
“He is not personally present as he is in hospital.
“The situation is pretty bleak. The accused is an inpatient on ward 19 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
“I have been told by a ward sister his discharge is not imminent.
“He is awaiting further biopsy results in the next week or two.
“I didn’t get the impression at all that he will ever be fit to attend court.”
Widowed Carline was caught with the haul of indecent images after a raid at his home.
He had 750 photographs on a hard drive hidden at home.
Experts warned many fell into the worst category for depravity.
Tots just months-old were among those filmed being tortured.
Carline was arrested after cops burst through his door last November 9.
The court was told it is likely Carline will be sent to a hospice in the near future.
Prosecutor Pamela Brady earlier told how police found him at the tenement in Paisley’s McKerrell Street.
She said: “Officers attended at his home around 7am – there was no reply.
“The accused was found within a bedroom of the flat.
“He was found to be asleep and had not heard police at the door because he had issues with his hearing.
“A small black Seagate hard drive was recovered in the bedroom.
“A number of indecent images of children were found on the device.”
Carline appeared in the dock to plead guilty two months ago.
He wore a beige cardigan, a hearing aid and had his white hair combed back while he clutched a rolled-up science magazine.
Sheriff Colin Pettigrew called on the defence to provide more information on the beast’s cancer battle in an effort to force him to face justice. He said: “I think on the next occasion it would assist the court if there was a medical indication on whether he can attend.
“I understand the point you are making but we cannot continue the period of sentencing forever without such information.”
Carline has been ordered to appear if he is fit on December 6.