July 2019 Sick Wishaw pervert told cops child abuse images simply “popped up” on his computer A Wishaw man caught with child abuse material told police that images had simply “popped up” on the screen while he was using his laptop. Michael Russell denied having a sexual interest in youngsters, Hamilton Sheriff Court was told. Russell, 31, of Hawthorn Drive, Wishaw, admitted downloading indecent images at his former home in Yarrow Crescent between June 2009 and August last year. Vish Kathuria, prosecuting, said police got a warrant to search the house he shared with his mother. There was no one at home when they arrived, so they forced entry. Russell’s mum had been on holiday and returned two days after the search, having been alerted by a neighbour. Mr Kathuria said officers seized two laptop computers from Russell’s bedroom. On one they found 24 indecent photos of children and two video clips. The second laptop had 31 photos and 33 video clips. Most of the films were classed as showing the worst type of abuse. Mr Kathuria told the court: “Russell said images had appeared on his computer as pop ups. “He had deleted them quickly as they disgusted him. “He accepted viewing adult porn, but said he had no sexual interest in children.” Russell was put under supervision for three years and will be on the sex offenders register for the same period. He must also carry out 280 hours of unpaid community work.