A Lanarkshire man who admitted viewing child abuse images has been placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for five years. Christopher Harris, 45, from Lesmahagow, pleaded guilty to downloading indecent images at addresses in East Kilbride between July 2024 and February last year.
Court details and sentencing
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that Harris, now of Monks Way, Lesmahagow, will be under social work supervision for 30 months and must complete 300 hours of unpaid community work. An electronic tagging order also imposes a 10-month curfew.
Prosecutor Aga Mathieson said police received intelligence that indecent images had been accessed at the Beauly Place address in East Kilbride. When officers attended, both Harris and his partner were placed under caution. Harris then asked to speak to the officer in charge and said: 'I'm a fool. I want to confess. She doesn't deserve any of this. It's all me.' He later told his partner he was 'sorry, so sorry.'
Police investigation
Cybercrime officers examined Harris's phone and found 45 child abuse images. During questioning, Harris said he needed help and had tried to get it. He described himself as addicted to porn for years, stating that at times it 'spirals' and he tries to fight it but 'it's like there is a switch in his head' and he changes from being a 'normal dad.' He told police he started by searching for adult porn and knew viewing child abuse images was illegal but could not stop. He claimed he was not attracted to children outside the internet.
Concerns over previous conviction
Sheriff John Hamilton KC expressed concern at that claim, noting that Harris has a previous conviction from 25 years ago involving a child sex offence. The sheriff's remarks highlighted the seriousness of the case and the need for continued monitoring.
