THOMAS FISHER FROM AIRDRIE SENTENCED TO 40 MONTHS FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

In April 2012, Thomas Fisher, a 38-year-old resident of Milton Street in Airdrie, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for possessing and downloading thousands of child pornography images. Fisher had been prohibited from accessing the internet after being caught with indecent photos and videos on his computer. Despite this, he purchased additional computer equipment to continue his illicit activities.

Fisher pleaded guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court in February to three charges related to taking or allowing the taking of indecent photographs of children on two separate occasions. Prosecutor Anne Frances Hilley detailed the police actions: officers arrived at Fisher’s home at 5:25 am on a search warrant, and Fisher allowed entry. During the search, a laptop was seized and later confirmed to contain indecent images by forensic investigators in Glasgow.

Further, acting on intelligence, police returned to Fisher’s home at 6:20 am on November 23, the previous year, where they seized new computer equipment, revealing additional indecent images of children.

Fisher was involved in downloading child pornography between September 11, 2010, and April 6, 2011, and again from June 1 to November 23, 2011. He also admitted to breaching bail conditions that prohibited him from seeking or using the internet.

During the searches, police found a total of 3,943 indecent images, many classified at the highest level of vile content, along with 492 videos of child sexual abuse, some involving babies, young teenagers, and even animals. Eleven of the videos depicted children being abused with animals.

Fisher had been remanded in custody since his guilty plea in November of the previous year. His defense lawyer, Tony Linden, acknowledged that his client could only expect a custodial sentence.

Last Wednesday, Sheriff Robert H. Dickson sentenced Fisher to 40 months in prison. Fisher was also placed on the sex offenders register as part of his sentence.