JOSEPH WHITE FROM EAST KILBRIDE SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE AND SEX OFFENCES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of East Kilbride, Joseph White, aged 30, was found guilty of heinous crimes involving the abuse of young children and the possession of indecent images. The investigation revealed a series of deeply troubling offenses committed by White, culminating in his conviction at Hamilton Sheriff Court.

White's criminal activities came to light after police linked a distinctive ring he was wearing to the horrific images found on his devices. The police investigation uncovered that White had repeatedly molested a two-year-old girl, an act he documented by taking photographs of himself abusing her. These images were not only shared via the messaging platform WhatsApp, where he exchanged warped fantasies about assaulting the child with other perverts, but also stored on his electronic devices.

The police raid on White’s residence in East Kilbride uncovered a trove of disturbing evidence, including highly explicit images of his abuse. Further investigation revealed that White had installed a covert camera in his home, which recorded various women using a bathroom, indicating a disturbing pattern of voyeurism. The same ring he was photographed wearing in images of the young girl was identified during the search, and authorities also recovered the clothing the girl had been wearing during the abuse.

Additional revelations from the police investigation indicated that White had also made sexual advances towards another young girl, who was only 11 years old at the time. These allegations added to the severity of his charges, which included multiple counts of sexual assault. White faced a total of eight charges, and a jury took less than an hour to convict him on seven of these, covering offenses committed between March 2010 and July of the previous year.

Evidence presented in court showed that White had used an iPhone and a MacBook to search for and download images depicting the abuse of children, with hundreds of such images found on his devices. The images of the young girl he assaulted were categorized at the second most extreme level of depravity. A search of his belongings also uncovered a memory card containing footage of a bathroom, recorded from a hidden camera installed in the ceiling, further illustrating his disturbing behavior.

During the trial, White, who described himself as a first-time offender, admitted to downloading indecent images and installing the hidden camera. When questioned by Deputy Fiscal Paula Russell about the ring visible in the photographs of the young girl, White confirmed it was his, stating, “Yes, it’s mine.” He claimed to have developed a twisted interest in children only the previous year and said he initially tried to stop his behavior by communicating with other perverts online, hoping to find support.

White, who works as a sound and lighting engineer, expressed remorse during his court appearance, stating, “I fell into an interest and I was responsible for that and I realize I will have to be punished for that.” He added that he had sought help by contacting helplines and undergoing therapy after his arrest, attempting to address his issues on his own. Despite this, he maintained that he did not physically assault the girls, asserting, “I didn’t sexually assault the girls, it just didn’t happen.”

Sheriff Marie Smart deferred sentencing until next month to allow for reports and remanded White in custody. She emphasized the gravity of the case, noting that the jury had found him guilty of three counts of sexual assault, one count of voyeurism, and a charge of lewd, indecent, and libidinous practices. He was also convicted of two counts related to the possession and taking of indecent images of children. A charge alleging that he had intentionally exposed himself to a 13-year-old girl was dropped during the proceedings.

In her remarks, Sheriff Smart acknowledged the emotional impact of the evidence on the jurors and confirmed that White would be placed on the sex offenders’ register for life. She sentenced him to five years in prison and ordered that he be kept on license for three years following his release, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes and the community’s need for protection.