JONATHAN MCGREGOR FROM BUSHMILLS AND WEST LOTHIAN CAUGHT WITH OVER 1000 CHILD ABUSE IMAGES ON PLAYSTATION

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local communities of Bushmills and West Lothian, a man named Jonathan McGregor has been found in possession of a vast collection of illegal and highly disturbing images involving children. The incident came to light in December 2020 when police uncovered evidence linking McGregor to the possession and distribution of child abuse material.

According to court proceedings, authorities received a tip-off indicating that McGregor’s IP address had been used to access and download explicit images of minors. Acting swiftly, police officers executed a search warrant at his residence in West Lothian on March 10, following the detailed investigation and forensic analysis. The search was conducted in his bedroom, where officers seized several electronic devices, including a PlayStation console and a mobile phone, both of which were later examined thoroughly.

Prosecutor Jim Robertson detailed the findings to the court, revealing that the devices contained a significant number of indecent images. On the PlayStation alone, police discovered a total of 74 images classified as Category ‘A’, which is considered the most severe level of child abuse imagery. Additionally, there were 76 images categorized as ‘B’ and a staggering 1,098 images classified as ‘C’. The mobile phone contained four Category ‘A’ videos and 31 Category ‘C’ images, all depicting minors subjected to sexual acts.

During police interviews, McGregor, aged 50 and now residing in Bushmills, Northern Ireland, admitted that the devices seized belonged to him and that the images and videos found on them were stored on his personal property. His guilty plea was entered for the charge of possessing indecent images of children, covering the period from October 18, 2019, to March 3, 2020. However, he maintained his innocence regarding other charges, including the possession of extreme pornography involving adults and animals, which the Crown accepted.

Judge Peter Hammond, presiding over the case at Livingston Sheriff Court, ordered that a criminal justice social work report be prepared and that an assessment for a restriction of liberty order be conducted. The court also decided to defer sentencing until February 4, allowing for McGregor’s personal appearance and further evaluation. Additionally, the judge mandated that McGregor’s name be immediately added to the sex offenders’ register, with the duration of reporting requirements to be determined at the sentencing hearing. The case has raised serious concerns about online safety and the protection of children, highlighting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat such heinous crimes.