A perverted Kinross-shire pensioner said he was “trying to hurt himself” by amassing a stash of sickening child abuse material for more than a decade.
James Sneddon was caught with hundreds of vile clips and photos of children as young as two-years-old when police raided his home in Milnathort.
The 71-year-old told his partner: “It wasn’t to hurt you, it was self-destructive.”
Sneddon appeared at Perth Sheriff Court and admitted downloading indecent images of children at his home between November 13 2011 and May 8 2023.
He was placed on the sex offenders register and will be sentenced next month.
Police raid
Prosecutor Callum Gordon said: “During April last year, Police Scotland received intelligence that a device linked to the accused may contain indecent material.
“On May 15, officers executed a search warrant at his home address.”
The fiscal depute said: “The accused was in the property with his partner.
“Both were made aware of the nature of the police visit.”
Sneddon told investigators: “Yes, you’ll find stuff on my computer.”
He stressed his partner “had nothing to do with it”.
In front of officers, he told her: “I don’t know why but I was trying to hurt myself.
“It wasn’t to hurt you, It was self-destructive.”
Most severe category
Police seized two computers and a laptop, along with paperwork linking the devices to Sneddon.
Mr Gordon said a total of 470 indecent images and videos were recovered.
The court heard 71 files were described as category A on the obscenity scale which featured children aged between four and 15.
There were 55 category B files, with children as young as two, and 334 at category C.
Sheriff Alison McKay was told Sneddon has no criminal history.
Deferring sentence to September 18, she said: “The court is not prepared to deal with this matter today.
“It’s appropriate that further enquiries are made regarding your personal circumstances.”
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