GALASHIELS MAN WILLIAM BAIRD AND ROBERT SENTENCED FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGES
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Galashiels, William Baird, aged 39, has been sentenced to ten months in prison after being found in possession of nearly 20,000 indecent images and videos depicting children.The offences were committed at his residence on Knoll Park Drive and other locations within the town, spanning a period from March 2016 to November 2021.
During a court hearing at Selkirk Sheriff Court, it was revealed that police officers, upon confronting Baird at his home in Melrose Gait, were met with a stark admission: "I’ve f***ed up." The authorities discovered an alarming collection of digital material across nine different devices, which included over 3,000 images classified as Category A, the most severe classification for such material.
The court was informed that the children depicted ranged in age from infants to 15 years old, highlighting the grave nature of the offences.
William Baird’s solicitor, Ed Hulme, emphasized that his client was a first-time offender and expressed that Baird was seeking help for his problematic behavior.
Hulme also noted that Baird had been employed full-time until recently, resigning just last week ahead of an impending disciplinary hearing.
Despite these mitigating factors, Sheriff Peter Paterson underscored the severity of the case, stating that the sheer volume of illicit material left him with no choice but to impose a custodial sentence.
