CALUM WATSON FROM AUCHTERARDER ESCAPES PRISON AFTER HORRIFIC CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DISCOVERY IN BLACKFORD

A man from Perthshire, identified as Calum Watson, has been found in possession of a disturbing collection of illegal and highly inappropriate images, including a video classified as 'extreme pornography.' The investigation leading to his arrest was initiated after police received credible intelligence suggesting that Watson was accessing and storing illicit material on his electronic devices. Authorities conducted a raid on his residence in Blackford, a village near Auchterarder, where they uncovered a significant amount of evidence.

During the search, law enforcement officers seized multiple devices, including Watson’s iPad and other electronic gadgets, which were later examined for illegal content. The prosecutor confirmed that the devices contained a disturbing array of images depicting young girls as young as ten years old. These images were found not only on Watson’s iPad but also on his WhatsApp account, indicating that he had shared or stored such material across different platforms.

The police investigation revealed that Watson’s collection included photographs of girls aged between 10 and 13, alongside a particularly heinous video lasting approximately one minute and 29 seconds. This video was classified as 'extreme pornography' and depicted an adult woman engaging in sexual activity with a fish, a disturbing and illegal act that falls under the category of extreme sexual content.

Calum Watson, aged 32, faced charges related to the downloading and possession of child abuse material. He pleaded guilty to these charges, which covered a period from July 12 to August 16, 2022, during which he was found to have accessed and stored such illicit images at his Blackford home. Additionally, he admitted to possessing further child abuse images from July 12, 2022, to March 28, 2023, along with the extreme pornographic video involving an adult woman and an animal, which was recorded between January 23 and March 28 of the previous year.

Despite the gravity of his offences, Watson was not sentenced to prison. The court was informed that he had taken steps towards rehabilitation, and social workers involved in his case provided positive reports regarding his efforts to change. His solicitor, David Holmes, emphasized that Watson was a first-time offender with no prior criminal record, which was taken into account during sentencing.

Presiding over the case, Sheriff Alison McKay expressed concern about Watson’s actions but acknowledged the steps he had already taken to address his behavior. The court decided on an alternative sentence, ordering Watson to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service and to register as a sex offender for a period of five years. The sheriff clarified that this sentence was intended as a direct alternative to imprisonment, focusing on punishment and rehabilitation. The decision reflects a recognition of Watson’s efforts to reform, despite the serious nature of his offences, and highlights the court’s approach to balancing justice with the potential for rehabilitation in certain cases.