Children’s charity welcomes prison sentence for sex offender

A leading Scottish children’s charity has welcomed the prison sentence handed down to a Perth sex offender who says he cannot stop looking at images of child abuse.

Edwin Kirk has been caught with tens of thousands of illicit pictures but despite time behind bars and support he has continued to offend.

He was jailed once more at Perth Sheriff Court last week, this time for 18 months, after he admitted possessing and making yet more indecent images of children.

A spokesman for NSPCC Scotland said: “Behind every image was a real child, suffering appalling abuse,” he said.

“Kirk’s actions have only fuelled the demand for this sickening material to be produced.

“He is a repeat offender and it is right that he is behind bars where it is vital he receives treatment to reduce the risk of him committing further crimes.

“Possessing images of child abuse must not be tolerated, but it is vital that tech companies, law enforcement and government work together to prevent this vile material being published and circulated.”

Kirk will be monitored by social workers for three years following his release from prison and will have any items he owns capable of accessing the internet remotely monitored by the police.

The 56-year-old, from Perth, is the subject of a sexual offences protection order (SOPO), called for by Scotland’s chief police officer, in order to provide the public some protection.

The 10-year SOPO, which runs until 2025, also bars him from contact or communication with children under 16.