SHOTTS SEX OFFENDER STEVEN HUTCHISON CAUGHT WITH THOUSANDS OF CHILD PORN IMAGES IN SHOTTS

In December 2016, a disturbing case emerged involving Steven Hutchison, a resident of Shotts, who is now facing serious criminal charges related to the possession of a vast collection of indecent images of children. Hutchison, aged 21 at the time, admitted to possessing over one thousand such images and videos, which were found stored across multiple devices in his home on Quarry Road.

The investigation into Hutchison’s activities began earlier that year when authorities received credible information suggesting his involvement in creating and possessing child exploitation material. On January 13, police obtained a warrant to search his residence after gathering evidence that linked him to the production of indecent images of minors. That evening, around 10:50 pm, officers arrived at Hutchison’s home but initially received no response. When attempts to gain entry were unsuccessful, they forcibly entered the premises by breaking down the door.

During the subsequent search, officers noted that Hutchison suffers from learning difficulties, which prompted them to ensure that an adult was present during questioning. A mobile phone was seized from him at that time. Further investigations led to a second search of his home on February 8, during which a laptop was recovered. Both devices were meticulously examined by police, revealing a disturbing collection of over 1,400 images and videos depicting child pornography. Among these, 330 images on the laptop were classified as Category A, indicating the most grotesque and severe content. Additionally, Hutchison’s phone contained 41 images also categorized as Category A.

The material found included photographs of young girls ranging from infants to 14 years old, as well as images of boys aged between four and 15. The content was highly disturbing and detailed, highlighting the severity of the case. Prosecutor Michael McIntosh revealed that Hutchison had also engaged in online searches asking “how to get away with using indecent images of children” and had looked up “people who require babysitters” on Gumtree, raising further concerns about his intentions and activities.

Despite being released on bail on April 8, Hutchison’s actions continued to draw police attention. On June 3, officers on patrol in Quarry Street, Shotts, observed Hutchison walking with a Samsung mobile phone in hand. Suspecting that he might be violating the conditions of his bail, officers seized the device for inspection. The examination uncovered an additional 272 images and videos of child pornography, with 41 of the images and 35 of the videos classified as Category A. All of this material involved young girls aged between one and 14 years old.

Following these discoveries, Hutchison was taken into custody and appeared in private at Hamilton Sheriff Court on June 6. His case was adjourned, and the court deferred sentencing until February 2, allowing for further legal proceedings and assessments. The case underscores the serious nature of child exploitation crimes and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat such offenses in Shotts and beyond.