A 36-year-old Fife woman caught with child abuse videos on her phone has avoided being sent to prison.
Samantha Clayfield was found to have 15 videos on the device.
They included children, mainly girls, estimated to be aged between two and 13, being sexually abused.
Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard previously 12 of the videos were of the most graphic kind.
Alternative to custody
Court papers state the offending took place between September 18 and October 4 in 2020 at Clayfield’s home address in Dunfermline’s Brucefield Avenue.
Clayfield, who previously admitted downloading the sick videos, appeared back in the dock for sentencing this week.
As was the case during her last hearing, she sobbed throughout proceedings and avoided reporters as she left court.
Sheriff Susan Duff told Clayfield she had read both her social work report and a letter from her, as well as reports from her GP, psychologist and support group Stop It Now!
The sheriff told her: “The explanation in the report from Stop It Now! sets out how you found yourself to be in this position.
“I do consider (there is an) alternative to custody and my intention… is to impose a community payback order (CPO).”
The background reports are not available to the public.
Sheriff Duff placed Clayfield on the Sex Offenders Register for two years and made her subject to offender supervision for the same period.
Clayfield must adhere to specific conditions, which include getting permission from her supervisor to contact children under 16 and not clearing her chat search history on devices without prior approval.
‘Empathy and understanding’
Defence lawyer Gordon Martin said Clayfield had a “particularly difficult background growing up” and had dealt with a “variety of bereavements and social isolation” prior to her offending.
The solicitor highlighted the limited number of videos involved, though acknowledged 12 of these were of the most graphic kind (category A).
He added: “It’s clearly a serious matter.
“She has shown empathy both to those in particular videos and understanding of the consequences of her behaviour”.
Sick videos
Procurator fiscal depute Laura McManus told the court previously police searched Clayfield’s home after receiving intelligence about child sexual abuse material connected to an IP address there.
During the search, officers seized a mobile phone which was examined and 15 videos of child sexual abuse and exploitation material were found.
Ms McManus said a laptop was also seized by police but was unable to be examined due to security features.
Clayfield previously pled guilty to the charge of taking or permitting to be taken or making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children.
The court heard she has no previous convictions.
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