An architectural technician downloaded more than 100 indecent pictures of children he was “sexually attracted” to after heavy drinking sessions switched off his “moral compass”.
Stephen Mathewson, 57, pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children on his personal laptop.
Police recovered 106 indecent images from his device following a police raid. After his arrest, Mathewson told officers he was attracted to children as young as 11, in particular blonde teenage boys.
Seventeen of the images recovered from the laptop were of the most serious Category A type.
Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson said: “The accused actively searched for images during this time period using search engines and (an) image browser…
“Police searched the accused’s house and he was detained following a search. He was cautioned under interview.
“He told police that he suffered from depression and was under the influence of alcohol. He told police he had been a ‘complete idiot’ and that it had been a ‘moment of madness’ and that he was ‘such a plonker’.
“He further told police he could not recall a specific date he had searched for indecent images, but that he might have done it as recently as the weekend before his arrest.
“He said he found teenage boys sexually attractive and that he would search for images of children aged between 11 and 12 years of age, in particular blonde boys.
“He told officers that once he would have something to drink that his moral compass would go wayward.”
Mathewson, of Clepington Road, admitted possessing indecent images of children between August 20 2010 and February 4 2017 at his home address.
Sheriff Carmichael deferred sentence for reports until November 6.
Mathewson was granted bail and ordered to appear.
