Cumbernauld OAP caught with child abuse images admits 'I was curious'

Dennis Hendry claimed he viewed the disgusting material because he was "curious".

The 79-year-old was placed on a community payback order when he appeared at Airdrie Sheriff Court.

He admitted downloading child sexual abuse images at his home in Muirfield Road between January 2023 and November the following year.  

First offender Hendry also admitted possessing extreme porn involving humans having sex with animals.

Annette Ward, prosecuting, said Hendry and his wife were at home when police officers arrived with a search warrant on November 27, 2024.

His computer was seized, and a preliminary examination revealed child sex abuse material on the device.

It was sent for a full cybercrime analysis and 37 child abuse images, including 10 in the most depraved category, were found.

Ms Ward told the court: "There were also five images showing adult males and females engaging in sexual activity with animals.

"The accused made certain admissions during an interview with police officers.

"He said he had downloaded and deleted indecent images of children.

"He told them 'I know it was wrong but I was curious'.

"The accused said he'd started using an app due to an interest in golf and cars.

"He began communicating with a person who sent him indecent images. He admitted using the device to search for images of children."

After studying background reports, Sheriff Paul Haran placed Hendry under social work supervision for two and a half years.

This involves various conditions, including restrictions on his internet use.

Hendry will be on the sex offenders' register for that period. The sheriff ordered the destruction of his computer.