ARCHIBALD SMITH FROM FIFE AND LEVEN SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND SEX OFFENCES

In December 2018, Archibald Smith, a man from Fife with connections to Leven, was sentenced to over three years in prison after a series of disturbing offences involving child abuse images and indecent material. The case revealed a troubling pattern of criminal behavior that spanned several months and involved multiple locations within the region.

Smith, aged 31, first appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court in September, where he admitted to possessing a staggering 1,187 indecent images of babies and young children. These images were found to be stored on devices seized by police, and the offences were linked to an address on Lawson Street in Kirkcaldy. In addition to the child abuse images, Smith also pleaded guilty to possessing 179 images depicting extreme pornography involving adult females and animals. These offences occurred between June and September 2017, with the initial crimes taking place at his residence in Kirkcaldy.

Despite being granted bail while the court awaited background reports, Smith was arrested again as he exited the court building. The police investigation uncovered further disturbing material, including images of bestiality and more child abuse content, which were linked to his former address on High Street in Leven. The authorities also charged him with distributing indecent images between August 7 and 27, 2017, from his residence in Leven. The court was informed that Smith had engaged in online exchanges with a 45-year-old woman, with whom he had been communicating via WhatsApp. The relationship involved the exchange of sexual messages and videos, but it turned sour when Smith sent her indecent images of children in August, prompting her to report him to the police.

Following the report, law enforcement officers seized multiple electronic devices from Smith, revealing even more horrifying child abuse images. He was remanded in custody on September 26 and, during a subsequent court hearing in November, admitted to the charges. Sheriff James Williamson commented on the case, stating that what initially appeared to be consensual online sexual activity had devolved into something far more sinister, echoing previous cases of similar nature.

During the sentencing, defense solicitor Martin McGuire acknowledged the impact of Smith’s time in custody, noting that it had been difficult for him and his family. Ultimately, Sheriff Williamson sentenced Smith to a total of three years and eight months in prison. The sentence included two years for distributing the images in 2018 and an additional 20 months for the possession of indecent images in 2017. The two-year term was backdated to September to account for the time already served in custody. Furthermore, Smith was ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.