Man almost ‘relieved’ after being caught with indecent images

A Fife man caught with indecent images of children claimed to be relieved after police made the discovery.

James Robb appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to be sentenced after admitting being in possession of the images.

His solicitor told the court that the 47-year-old went on to commit the offence as a result of crippling shoulder pain.

He said: “My client started watching videos which were ethically questionable but that were legal. Then he got into more serious, illegal stuff.

“He does tell me that he felt disgusted with himself but at the same time he just couldn’t stop and he felt unable to discuss it with his GP.

“He was relieved almost to see the police at his door and he went and got his equipment and handed it over to them.

“He did the usual no comment interview based on legal advice.”

The court was told Robb ended up offending after a shoulder injury left him in severe pain.

He pled guilty to one charge of possessing indecent images of children at an address in Glenrothes between July 2012 and March 2013.

Sheriff Gilchrist said: “These offences are not only serious but are serious enough that the court can consider a relatively substantial period in custody.

“Having said that, I am convinced that there is a realistic alternative as you appear to have a limited record.

“There are a number of conditions in the community payback order and if you breach any of them, you risk being brought back to court.”

Robb was banned from having an unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 16 and ordered to make his electrical devices available for examination.

He was banned from staying at any other address without permission from his supervising officer, and must attend a workshop to try fix his sexual offending.

Robb was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register for three years.