COVID TEST REMINDER LED TO DISCOVERY OF MAN’S CHILD ABUSE
Luke Walker’s former partner discovered a hidden mobile phone that contained conversations in a group chat discussing abuse material.The discovery was made after his partner, attempting to remind him about a Covid test before attending a festival, found child exploitation videos on his phone.
Walker, 29, now listed on the sex offenders register after pleading guilty to the charges, committed the offences between September 21 and 23, 2021.
During the hearing at Dundee Sheriff Court, it was revealed that Walker was living alone at the time and was planning to attend a festival with his partner the day following the phone’s discovery.
Prosecutor Lee Corr explained that Walker’s partner tried to reach him about the Covid test but received no response.
She then visited his address and noticed a mobile phone she didn’t recognise resting on a couch.
She accessed the Kik messenger app and found a conversation discussing child abuse, prompting her to contact police.
Officers subsequently attended Walker’s home and found him in obvious mental distress.
The mobile phone was confiscated, and due to concerns over his mental health, Walker was admitted to the Carseview Centre for assessment.
Analysis of the found phone revealed 24 videos, 17 of which depicted severe abuse.
The total duration of these videos was approximately 37 minutes.
Walker, from Shamrock Street in Carnoustie, had previously admitted to the offence and appeared in court following a social work report.
His solicitor, Larry Flynn, described Walker’s behaviour as “erratic,” noting that his mental health issues appeared to be worsened by drug use.
The sheriff remarked that Walker’s actions might have been a cry for help, and acknowledged his mental health had significantly declined at the time of the offences.
While the number of videos was relatively low compared to similar cases, the court emphasised that 17 were of the highest depravity, involving minors being sexually abused for financial exploitation.
Having determined that the custodial threshold was exceeded, Sheriff Niven-Smith opted for a community payback order as a method of rehabilitation.
Walker was sentenced to two years of supervised engagement with the Moving Forward Making Changes programme, along with 200 hours of unpaid work.
Restrictions include limitations on access to children, the internet, and digital devices.
He will remain on the sex offenders register for five years.
