KEITH ROSS FROM MOTHERWELL SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORN AND ANIMAL ABUSE IN IRELAND AND SCOTLAND

In a case that has shocked the local community of Motherwell and extended across borders, Keith Ross, a 28-year-old resident of Highfield Crescent in Motherwell, has been sentenced to three years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving child exploitation and extreme pornography. The charges stem from a series of investigations that uncovered a disturbing collection of illicit images and videos, including those depicting children and bestiality, which Ross had accumulated over several years.

Ross’s criminal activities came to light after police discovered a significant cache of indecent images on his mobile devices. Specifically, he was found to possess over 1,600 indecent images of minors, alongside 3,029 images classified as extreme pornography involving humans and animals. These findings were part of a broader investigation that also revealed Ross’s involvement in animal cruelty, as he kept a collection of exotic pets, including venomous snakes, scorpions, turtles, and lizards, without the necessary licenses.

His criminal record includes a previous conviction from the same court, Hamilton Sheriff Court, where he was jailed for 18 months in 2018 for neglecting exotic animals. The earlier case involved his ownership of dangerous creatures such as snakes, scorpions, turtles, and lizards, which he failed to care for properly. Ross’s latest offences, which surfaced in April of the previous year, further compounded his criminal profile.

In May 2018, Ross admitted to possessing a vast array of illicit images, including those of children and extreme acts involving animals. The discovery was made after his ex-girlfriend’s father found the disturbing material on Ross’s mobile phone during a visit to his residence. The phone contained a catalogue of over 3,000 images, with 1,651 depicting child abuse and the remainder showing extreme pornography involving animals and humans. The police investigation revealed that Ross had been viewing these images for years, with many of the images being in the most serious category of abuse.

During the court proceedings, Ross’s defense attorney, Bobby Reid, explained that his client had fled the country due to threats and vandalism following media coverage of his offences. Reid stated, “It was as a result of bad press. He received threats and his home and car were vandalised. He felt it was unsafe to remain there. During this period he was in contact with my office and was advised to return. He handed himself in.”

Ross’s disappearance prompted a police manhunt, which culminated in his being traced to Dublin, Ireland, where he was found in early July 2018. His phone was tracked to the Irish capital, and he was subsequently returned to Scotland to face justice. His failure to appear in court on June 22 led Sheriff Marie Smart to issue a warrant for his arrest, citing breaches of his bail conditions and failure to notify authorities of his whereabouts.

In court, Sheriff Marie Smart emphasized the severity of the images involving children, noting that many were rated as the most serious category by investigators. Recognizing Ross’s early guilty plea, she reduced his sentence from four years to three, and she also ordered that he be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing threat posed by his actions.

Ross’s background also includes his involvement in organizing children’s parties through his business, Keith’s Reptile Parties. He would charge around £80 per hour to entertain children with his collection of exotic animals, including dangerous species such as boomslangs, western diamondback rattlesnakes, cobras, and other reptiles. His flat in Motherwell housed a variety of animals, and he claimed to enjoy working with children who were not squeamish about handling such creatures. However, his reputation was marred by the discovery of the illicit images and his animal neglect charges, which led to a 10-year ban on keeping animals.

Overall, Keith Ross’s case highlights a disturbing pattern of criminal behavior involving both animal cruelty and child exploitation, with his actions spanning several years and involving multiple jurisdictions. His sentencing underscores the seriousness with which the justice system treats such offenses, aiming to protect vulnerable victims and prevent further harm.