September 2009 Woman jailed over indecent images A woman who was caught with images of babies and children being sexually tortured has been jailed for one year. Emma Griffin, 24, admitted downloading 464 indecent images of children at her home in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire. The town’s sheriff court heard how background reports described Griffin as a “potential predator” who was unsuitable for community service. She was ordered to be supervised for two years on release and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years. Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard how police were acting on a tip-off when they raided Griffin’s home last October and removed a computer hard drive. Officers questioned her partner before the investigation focused on her. Indecent images found on the hard drive were found to have been downloaded from the internet either free of charge or paid for by credit card. Several video clips were at level five, which includes babies and children being sexually tortured. Police also recovered photos of Griffin in public places near children. Griffin admitted downloading 464 indecent images of children being sexually abused. Douglas Macphee, defending, said Griffin had herself been the victim of sexual abuse by her maternal grandfather. Background reports, which were “far from positive”, described Griffin as a “potential predator” who may have been protecting her partner. ‘Sexual harm’ Sheriff Alistair Watson told Griffin her crime was “a matter of great concern which quite understandably provokes the disgust of the community”. He added: “This is an offence where every child is a victim. “You didn’t stumble upon these images. They were downloaded by you for your sexual gratification.” The sheriff said Griffin had shared her interest with others and he had concerns about the “significant sexual harm” caused to the children in the images. A custodial sentence was necessary, he said, “both to punish you and to act as a deterrent to others prepared to engage in this behaviour”.