AIRDIRE PAEDOPHILE FELIX MULLEN SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN SCOTLAND

In March 2014, Felix Mullen, a 32-year-old resident of Mitchell Street in Airdrie, was formally sentenced to serve 20 months in prison after admitting to possessing and downloading highly disturbing and illegal images of children. The case drew significant attention due to the depraved nature of the material involved and the serious implications for public safety.

Felix Mullen had previously pleaded guilty at the town’s sheriff court to charges related to the possession of indecent images of children, which he committed at his home between December 25, 2012, and March 3, 2013. The images he downloaded included some of the most severe and disturbing categories, depicting children as young as four years old in explicit and abusive scenarios. The court was informed that Mullen displayed a troubling lack of empathy for his victims, and he appeared to be unaware of the severity of his actions at the time.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Anne Frances Hilley detailed how authorities uncovered Mullen’s illicit activities. The investigation was initiated after Interpol provided intelligence indicating that indecent images were being downloaded at Mullen’s residence. Acting on this information, police obtained a search warrant and arrived at his home early in the morning. During the search, officers cautioned Mullen and examined his computer, discovering a collection of indecent images. Further analysis at the Helen Street police station in Glasgow revealed that Mullen’s device contained 55 moving images of young girls aged between four and fourteen years old. These images were classified into different levels of severity, with four at the lower end, 46 at level four, and five at the highest and most disturbing level, level five.

Defense lawyer John McGeechan argued that Mullen lacked a proper understanding of the gravity of his actions. He emphasized that Mullen was aware he would face long-term registration on the sex offenders’ register and would be unable to return to his home due to societal condemnation. The lawyer highlighted that Mullen was unemployed at the time, with excessive free time that he spent on his computer, and insisted that he did not realize downloading such images contributed to a demand for child abuse material. McGeechan also pointed out that there was no evidence Mullen was distributing the images to others, suggesting his actions stemmed from a lack of awareness rather than malicious intent. The court was told that Mullen was considered a high risk due to his lack of empathy.

In delivering his judgment, Sheriff Robert Dickson condemned Mullen’s actions, describing the images as “horrible viewing” and labeling him as “a depraved, perverse, warped, and disgusting individual.” Recognizing the seriousness of the offenses, the sheriff sentenced Mullen to 20 months in prison, a reduction from the original two-year term due to his early plea. The sentence was backdated to January 28, the date Mullen was first remanded in custody. Additionally, upon release, Mullen will be subject to a three-year license period, intended to protect the public, especially young girls.

Furthermore, the court accepted a plea of not guilty from Mullen regarding possession of indecent images of children at his home between June 26, 2012, and March 15, 2013. Mullen showed no visible emotion as he was led away to begin his sentence and was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the threat posed to the community.