A paedophile courier caught in Perth with more than 1500 child abuse images on his phone became “infatuated by the dark web” during the Covid lockdown, a court heard.
Michael Somerville, 48, has been released on bail pending sentencing next month.
He previously admitted possessing indecent photos of children at an address in Glenrothes, at Inveralmond industrial estate in Perth and elsewhere, between September 13 and November 10 2020.
He appeared at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court by video link to Perth Prison, having been remanded after missing an earlier court date.
Phone full of filth
Prosecutor Sarah Smith told the court police traced Somerville, also known as Michael McMillan, in November 2020 at the industrial estate on the outskirts of Perth, where he was working as a courier.
One of his two phones was analysed and found to contain 1,526 indecent images of children.
Three were classed as the most graphic category A kind, with 17 category B, and the rest rated category C.
The fiscal depute said the category A images involved a female child aged between six and 12.
A three-second category C video was also found, featuring an eight-year-old female child.
Dark web ‘infatuated’
Defence lawyer Calum Harris said Somerville’s offending happened “in the midst of the Covid period”.
The solicitor said Somerville was living in a spare room at his former partner’s home and “found himself in a particularly difficult situation whereby he began to experiment with amphetamine”.
“His mental health deteriorated and he became infatuated by the dark web.
“That came to be where he accessed the images.”
The solicitor asked for Somerville to be released on bail, highlighting his client’s lack of criminal record.
Mr Harris said Somerville has fractured relations with his family as a result of his offending.
The lawyer said his client had been on remand for six weeks after failing to attend a court hearing.
“He tells me today the ultimate reason is he was very afraid of being sent to custody.
“He has now dealt with it and tendered the plea”.
Bailed but on Register
Sheriff Robert More told Somerville: “That’s a risk to release you on bail because you might fail to appear again.
“That said, you have a single previous conviction which is extremely minor and non-analogous – not similar to the charge in this case.
“The numbers and categories of images involved in the case are such that, were the court to impose prison, that would be in terms of a number of months.
“So, in all the circumstances I am persuaded the date should be adjourned so that a criminal justice social work report can be obtained with a view to ascertain if alternatives to prison are appropriate.
“I am persuaded you ought now to be admitted to bail again, on standard conditions.”
Sentencing has been deferred until July 30 to obtain background reports.
Somerville has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a period to be determined at sentencing.
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