WISHAW MAN WILLIAM COLLINS CAUGHT WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AFTER POLICE RAID

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Wishaw, William Collins was found to have continued downloading indecent images of children even after police had previously raided his home. The incident highlights the ongoing issue of child exploitation and the challenges law enforcement faces in tackling such heinous crimes.

According to court records, Collins voluntarily approached the police station and confessed that he had persisted in accessing illegal images of minors despite the initial police intervention. This revelation came during a court hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court on a recent Friday, where Collins pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to child pornography.

The charges stem from activities at his residence on Langholm Crescent, where the offenses occurred between August 2011 and July 2014. Additionally, Collins admitted to possessing child abuse images at the same address on June 20 of this year. The court was informed that police had previously raided Collins’ home on December 3 of the previous year, seizing two laptops and a mobile phone during the operation.

During questioning, Collins, aged 43, claimed sole ownership and use of all three devices. A preliminary forensic examination revealed that each device contained indecent images of children, with a total of 139 still images and 320 videos discovered across the devices. The investigation uncovered that Collins had accessed these illicit materials through various online platforms, including Dropbox and chat rooms, indicating a deliberate and sustained pattern of illegal activity.

In a poignant moment during the police interview, Collins admitted to his mother that he was responsible for the images, stating, “It was me mum.” When asked about the timing of his downloads, he responded, “Every weekend,” revealing a regular pattern of offending.

Further investigations led police to obtain a second warrant, which resulted in the seizure of an iPad and an iPhone from the same residence. These devices contained an additional five images and 45 videos, all of which had been accessed via the internet through platforms such as Skype, Dropbox, and Facebook Messenger.

During the court proceedings, Collins’ solicitor explained that his family’s attitude towards him had become increasingly strained, and he was struggling to cope with his actions. The solicitor also mentioned that Collins had been using amphetamines on weekends, which coincided with the times he committed these offenses. Despite his remorse, the court was told that the gravity of the crimes warranted a custodial sentence.

However, Sheriff Ray Small deferred sentencing until October 25 to allow for the preparation of reports. Meanwhile, Collins, whose address was listed as HMP Addiewell, was remanded in custody pending the outcome of the sentencing process. The case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and the importance of community vigilance in preventing such crimes from continuing.