Sex offender got USB stick back

A sex offender jailed after amassing an enormous stash of child abuse images “as a hobby” was handed back a USB stick containing some of the horrific images when he was released from prison.

Kenneth Stalker served a 16-month prison term after collecting more than 25,000 images on his computer.

When he was released he was given back his property, including a USB stick containing thousands of indecent images of children.

His lawyer said that “triggered” him to go on to download more on to his mobile phone.

The stash was uncovered when police monitoring him in the community under his sex offender registration found some of the photos stored on his device.

Stalker, 39, of Lordburn, Arbroath, pled guilty on indictment at Dundee Sheriff Court to possessing indecent images of children between June 1 and October 5 2017, and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Defence solicitor Ian Myles said the USB had been a “trigger” for Stalker to continue his activities.

Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC deferred sentence until later this month and remanded Stalker in custody, placing him on the sex offenders register.

She said: “He is not going to be avoiding custody.

“He has a previous conviction and this makes this conviction all the more serious.”