Newton Mearns company director caught with child porn images avoids jail

David Cullen was instead placed under supervision for three years and faces restrictions on his internet use and contact with children.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that police found child porn on a computer in his office and at his home.

Cullen (53), of Ramsay Court, Newton Mearns, admitted downloading indecent images between February 2007 and July last year.

The court heard he was a director of Insulam Limited, based in Fairfield Place, East Kilbride.

Vish Kathuria, prosecuting, said police raided the factory last summer after receiving information that an ip address there was linked to child porn images.

A desktop computer seized from Cullen’s office contained 10 photographs and four video clips depicting child sex abuse.

A hard drive found at his home had 16 photos and 251 video clips. More than half of the films were ranked in the most serious category.

The images featured girls as young as five.

Defence agent Tom Watters said a community payback order (CPO) would be appropriate for Cullen, who has no previous convictions.

The solicitor stated: “Through my dealings with him, I can safely say he is someone who can be trusted on such an order.

“He has expressed remorse and deep regret. I don’t think we’ll see him back in court again.”

Sheriff Thomas Millar said that having read a “very full” criminal justice social work report, he was satisfied that he could place Cullen on a CPO as an alternative to prison.

He told the accused: “You now appreciate that this is not a victimless crime. If people didn’t view these images there would be no need for children to be abused in the first place.

“I’m prepared to impose a lengthy period of supervision. The report makes clear it will be of benefit to you.”

The order means Cullen can’t have access to the internet without the approval of his supervising officer. He must also make any internet device he has available for inspection by the police, and that includes work computers.

The sheriff also warned him he must have no contact with anyone under the age of 17 without the approval of his supervising officer.

Cullen will be on the sex offenders register for three years.