A Methil creep caught with bestiality photos has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a year.
John McIntosh previously admitted that on May 10 last year, he had “extreme” pornographic images depicting adults engaging in sexual acts with animals “in an explicit and realistic way.”
The images were uncovered at the 52-year-old’s home in Ossian Crescent, Methil.
He returned to Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court to be sentenced, where Sheriff Timothy Niven-Smith also ordered him to complete 106 hours of unpaid work within the next year.
Bridge climber blasted
A sheriff blasted the actions of an internet daredevil who scaled the Forth Road Bridge’s 500ft suspension tower. Ally Law, 26, from Southampton, who once clambered into the Big Brother house and is banned from all UK theme parks, scaled the North Tower in the early hours of July 16 2020.
‘Dilemma’ solved
A 77-year-old man who brandished a meat cleaver at his wife has been ordered to carry out unpaid work, despite concerns his sentence could be hampered by a language barrier.
Perth Sheriff Court heard Cheung Fong pushed his partner out of their Darnhall Drive home while grasping the bladed weapon.
The father-of-five admitted acting in a threatening or abusive manner, likely to cause fear or alarm, on December 5 2021.
It happened after a day of solo drinking, the court was told.
Last month, Sheriff John MacRitchie told Fong his case posed a sentencing “dilemma”.
Fong returned to the dock – accompanied by a Cantonese interpreter – and it was confirmed he was a suitable candidate for unpaid work.
After saying the offence “passed the custody threshold”, the sheriff said: “Essentially, I was left with two real options – imposing a fine or imposing unpaid work.
“A fine is not appropriate because it has the potential to not only punish you but also your victim.”
Fong was sentenced to 90 hours unpaid work as a direct alternative to custody.
“Be under no illusion, this type of behaviour – regardless of your age and lack of criminal record – will not be tolerated,” the sheriff told him.
Drugs bust
A convicted drug trafficker caught in Fife with laundry bags stuffed with cannabis has been jailed for six years. Mohammed Asif, from Glenrothes, was caught during a £340,000 drugs and dirty money probe. The 49 year-old was seen during a handover with co-accused Rigels Ugurlu, 39, in a car park in his hometown. Ugurlu got 32 months.
Drunken browsing job loss
Fife support worker Brandon Swindells, 27, lost his job after he drunkenly downloaded child abuse files.
At Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court he admitted taking or making images between August and December 2021.
Police raided his home in Westwood Avenue, Kirkcaldy on December 10 2021 after obtaining information sick files had been downloaded there.
On his mobile phone, officers found a Category A image and a Category C image, which were still accessible.
Fiscal depute Alistair McDermid said further analysis showed another five Category A, two Category B and 16 Category C pictures had all been deleted from the device.
However, thumbnails accessed by police proved the files had existed there.
They included children between the ages of seven and 14 being abused by adults and in sexualised poses.
His solicitor Iain McCafferty said: “The number of images is possibly the lowest I’ve dealt with on indictment.
“He was previously in full time employment as a support worker.
“Due to the allegations, that job was lost to him. He now finds himself in receipt of benefits.
“He’s aware of what the implications are – he’s realistic.
“The area he worked in previously will be excluded to him.”
Mr McCafferty said his client has abstained from booze since accessing the images while intoxicated.
“He was drinking far more than was good for him.
“That appears to have led to drunken browsing.
“He took this as a wake-up call. He hasn’t touched alcohol this year.”
Sheriff More placed Swindells on the Sex Offenders Register and deferred sentencing until May 5 for reports.
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