CRAIG WOOD FROM GLENBURN SCANDALIZES GLASGOW AND PAISLEY WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND ONLINE PREDATION

In February 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving Craig Wood, a man from Glenburn, Paisley, who was linked to heinous crimes involving child exploitation and possession of indecent images. Wood, aged 52, was found to have created a personal library of child abuse photographs and videos, which he amassed over a period of more than two years. His criminal activities extended to coercing young victims into exposing themselves during webcam chats, often recording these acts without their consent. The scope of his victimization was so extensive that prosecutors could not specify the exact number of children involved in his illicit activities.

On a day at Paisley Sheriff Court, Wood was formally sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, possessing child pornography, and compelling minors to perform sexual acts on camera. Additionally, he was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes. Sheriff Susan Sinclair delivered a stern judgment, stating, “Over a period of two-and-a-half years, you were able to contact females between the ages of nine and 15 through various forms of web communication. During these interactions, you exposed yourself to these children and recorded their participation in these acts.”

She further emphasized that Wood exploited his knowledge of online activities, which he had gained through his employment at Hutcheson’s Grammar School, one of Scotland’s prestigious private institutions. The sheriff remarked, “You used this knowledge to target the groups concerned. There is no alternative but to impose a sentence of imprisonment.”

As Wood was led away in handcuffs to serve his sentence, he showed no visible emotion. Hutcheson’s Grammar School, located on Glasgow’s south side, counts notable alumni such as Transport Minister Humza Yousaf, TV personality Carol Smillie, and Radio 2 DJ Ken Bruce. A school spokesperson confirmed that Wood was immediately suspended upon the discovery of the criminal charges and that he no longer works there. The school assured the public that police investigations indicated that pupils and staff were not at risk, and all necessary background checks conducted during his employment had been satisfactory.

Earlier in January 2018, Wood’s disturbing online activities came to light when he was accused of using a perverted internet game to manipulate children into sexual acts. The court heard that Wood, who previously taught at Paisley Grammar, coerced children aged between 11 and 15 to strip and perform sexual acts during online sessions. He also downloaded and stored numerous indecent images and videos of children over a span of more than two years until authorities intervened.

During a pre-trial hearing, Wood appeared visibly ashamed as he admitted to charges of creating indecent images, possessing illegal material, and forcing children to expose themselves during online interactions. Child Protection Unit officers executed a warrant at his residence on February 23 of the previous year, while he was still employed at Hutchesons’ Grammar School. The officers seized a Seagate hard disk and a Hewlett Packard Pavilion computer from his bedroom, which were later subjected to forensic analysis.

The investigation uncovered a staggering 959 indecent images, including videos, categorized into various levels of severity, with three files classified as Category A—the most severe. The court was informed that Wood had used a web-based game to communicate with children, instructing them to remove clothing and perform sexual acts via webcam. The game, downloaded from a website catering to perverts, displayed body parts such as breasts, genitals, and bottoms, and prompted children to carry out explicit acts, some involving penetration. The files recovered contained over two hours of footage depicting children engaging in sexual activities at his command, with some of the victims being female.

Fiona Holligan, a prosecutor, detailed how the children were filmed exposing their underwear, genitals, and performing sex acts, often involving penetration, all while listening to Wood’s voice. At the conclusion of these sessions, Wood would expose himself to the children via his webcam. The court was told that Wood’s actions represented a grave breach of trust and a severe violation of the victims’ innocence. Sheriff Sinclair deferred sentencing until a comprehensive social work and pathways report could be prepared, noting that Wood would be subject to notification under sex offender legislation. The final sentencing date was set for February 27, when the court would determine his fate based on the reports and mitigation presented.