News / Sex offender downloaded naked child photos
A REGISTERED sex offender pled guilty to storing images of nude children on his computer at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Thursday.
John Millarkie appeared from custody where he is being held on charges of robbery that will see him appearing later in the High Court.
On Thursday the court heard that a family member had been placing online bets on behalf of the 54 year old when he noticed a window open on his laptop computer entitled ‘Nude Boys’.
In a state of shock, he reported the matter to the police who immediately visited the house at 2 Brevik Cottages, Burgh Road, Lerwick, where they found a total of 384 downloaded images of naked boys and girls aged from four to 16 years.
Millarkie had admitted to the police that between 22 August and 22 November 2011 he had downloaded images from nudist holiday camp websites from around the world, but claimed he gained no sexual gratification from them.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the images were not pornographic and at the lowest level of seriousness, but still a matter of concern.
“Clearly the images here are not of the most serious end of the scale, but I think his behaviour demonstrates an attitude which is deeply troubling combined with his previous convictions,” the fiscal said.
Millarkie is still being monitored by the police after being placed on the Sex Offenders Register for five years on 18 May 2009 after he was found guilty of lewd and libidinous behaviour towards two young girls aged 11 and 12 and given 200 hours community service.
At the time he had denied asking one of the girls to pose in a swimming costume, stroking her leg and beneath her clothing, and offering the other girl £10 if she took off her top and let him stroke her front and back.
On Thursday Sheriff Philip Mann deferred sentence until 18 April for background reports to be compiled by social workers.
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