An Edinburgh Paedophile father, Philip Bampton, has been apprehended for possessing a substantial collection of child sexual abuse material.
In 2023, authorities discovered that Philip Bampton had stored hundreds of photos and films illustrating the rape of young children by adults on two devices during a raid on his residence.
The Edinburgh Sheriff Court was informed that the disturbing compilation of images and videos featured male and female minors aged six to fourteen years.
Fiscal depute Matthew Miller stated that police officers obtained intelligence indicating that child abuse material had been “uploaded” to a device at Bampton’s residence in the Muirhouse area of the capital.
Two devices—a computer system unit and a mobile phone—were subsequently confiscated and discovered to contain 229 photos and three video files depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.
Mr. Miller said the court that 70 files were uncovered, classified by specialised police officers as Category A, representing the most egregious level of depravity.
Philip Bampton appeared in court today, Monday, February 3, where he pleaded guilty to holding obscene photographs of children at his residence between December 19, 2022, and November 3, 2023.
Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss stated: “I must determine if there exists an alternative to a custodial sentence for you; therefore, I will request a criminal justice social work report and an assessment for a restriction of liberty order.”
You will consult with a specialised social worker who will generate a report regarding your background circumstances and the potential risk of recidivism.
“Your cooperation with that process is essential.”
Philip Bampton was provisionally registered as a sex offender, with sentencing postponed until next month.
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