WEMYSS BAY PAEDOPHILE BODYGUARD THOMAS BRANKIN'S SENTENCING POSTPONED AT GREENOCK SHERIFF COURT

In April 2021, the sentencing hearing for Thomas Brankin, a man with a disturbing criminal record, was temporarily halted at Greenock Sheriff Court. Brankin, aged 44, who previously served as an infantryman in the Royal Air Force, was found guilty by a jury of possessing a large collection of illegal images. The court had scheduled the proceedings to determine his punishment following the conviction, but the session was postponed to a later date.

Brankin’s case drew significant attention due to the nature of his crimes. It was revealed that he had accumulated over 1,000 indecent images on his personal laptop computer, which was used to browse and download material of a highly disturbing and illegal nature. The images involved children, and the case highlighted the severity of his actions.

The court's decision to adjourn the sentencing was made because the necessary background reports on Brankin, who resides in Wemyss Bay, had not yet been completed. These reports are crucial for the court to fully understand the context of his actions and to determine an appropriate sentence. The reports are typically prepared by probation officers or other relevant authorities to provide a comprehensive overview of the defendant’s background and any mitigating or aggravating factors.

As a result of the delay, Brankin is scheduled to return to Greenock Sheriff Court next Wednesday, where the court will proceed with the sentencing once all reports are available. The case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and judicial authorities to combat the distribution and possession of child abuse images, and to ensure that offenders are held accountable for their actions.