IAN JUDGE FROM BARRHEAD, GLASGOW, IS BANNED FROM DRIVING TAXIS OVER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENCES

In May 2007, Ian Judge, a man from Barrhead near Glasgow, was formally banned from driving taxis after being exposed as a pervert involved in child abuse images. The suspension was enacted by the local council once they learned he had downloaded sexually explicit images of children. Subsequently, Judge's taxi licence was permanently revoked following a hearing held several months later.

This development was kept under wraps until Judge appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court earlier that week for sentencing. His defence solicitor explained in court: "My client was a taxi driver with Glasgow City Council. They informed him that the nature of the inquiry meant that his taxi driver’s licence was suspended. After that hearing in November, his taxi driver licence was terminated. The current situation is that he has moved to another area and is now attempting to rebuild his life." The lawyer also shared that Judge was overwhelmed by guilt, stating: "My client is plagued by feelings of guilt— to the extent he considered taking his own life."

Police discovered the disturbing images during a raid on his Wraes Avenue, Barrhead home on August 23, 2005. Judge appeared in court on a petition privately and was released on strict bail conditions, but he was forced to change residences three times due to threats from vigilante mobs.

In February of the following year, Judge pleaded guilty to charges of possessing and making indecent photographs of children, including taking, permitting to be taken, or making pseudo-photographs, covering the period from January 16, 2004, to September 19, 2005. The procurator fiscal, Sarah Healing, stated during the hearing: "A paediatrician confirmed they were under 16 years old." The court deferred sentencing for additional reports. Meanwhile, Judge was again driven out of Thornliebank by a mob.

At his sentencing on Tuesday, Judge was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and assigned probation. Sheriff James Spy warned him: "I will call for you in three months," indicating close supervision. He added: "Any breach — and you will go to jail."