March 2014 Man filmed himself abusing a four-year-old girl – caught because of his tattooed fingers A man who filmed himself abusing a four-year-old girl was caught because of his tattooed fingers. A court heard how the child’s father found the footage on a mobile phone and recognised David Masson of Penicuik from his wedding ring and the letters “H-A-T-E” tattooed across his fingers. The 62-year-old pled guilty to charges of taking and possessing indecent pictures at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday. He also admitted sexually assaulting the child by exposing himself and rubbing himself against her bare bottom. Judge Lord Boyd of Duncansby called for a background report and remanded Masson in custody pending sentence in Glasgow next month. Advocate depute David Nicolson, prosecuting, said the girl’s father thought the clip was downloaded pornography. He then recognised the ring and tattoo on Masson’s hand and saw the child was his daughter. Mr Nicolson said: “The situation became volatile.” Police officers arrived to find the father being restrained by a relative. When the phone was examined, experts found a video clip lasting about two and a half minutes and another lasting a minute and 20 seconds. A still image showed the child sitting on a couch with her knees up, exposing her pants. Questioned by police, Masson would only reply “no comment”. In court solicitor advocate Stuart Carson, defending, said Masson was extremely sorry and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.