Back in 2021, the incarceration of Liam Mackay, the Dingwall Paedophile, a Ross-shire individual discovered in possession of thousands of abhorrent indecent photographs and films of minors, dispels the notion that computers serve as a refuge for perpetrators.
Law enforcement issued statements in response to the sentence of Liam Mackay (31) from Deas Avenue, which occurred yesterday.
He has previously confessed to downloading indecent photographs and videos of youngsters aged two to twelve.
He received a sentence of 22 months’ incarceration followed by 30 months on probation.
He has been indefinitely registered on the Sex Offenders Register.
In May, law enforcement conducted an operation at Liam Mackay’s residence in Dingwall, resulting in the seizure and analysis of electronic equipment.
Thousands of illicit photos of minors were retrieved, resulting in Liam Mackay’s apprehension.
Detective Chief Inspector Richard Banks of Police Scotland’s National Child Abuse Investigation Unit said: There is a misunderstanding by some that the internet provides anonymity. Liam Mackay’s arrest shows that this is not the case, and no matter what steps you have taken to avoid detection, you cannot hide behind a computer.
We will work with our partners to take action against anyone who is involved in these abhorrent crimes. Any form of child sexual abuse is a serious criminal offence and a priority for Police Scotland. I would urge anyone with any concerns about a child at risk of abuse or a potential victim to contact us immediately.
The court was told that Liam Mackay had previous convictions, one for a sexual contact offence against a 14-year-old girl, and for similar charges of possessing child porn.
His latest offence was committed while he was still under supervision for his offending.
The court heard he had also downloaded child porn on a previous occasion whilst under supervision.
When officers arrived at the property on May 7, 2020, to execute a warrant, they discovered a USB stick hidden in the hollow leg of his bed.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that a cursory examination of it revealed images of children aged between two years and 12 years being abused.
Fiscal depute Alison Young said that forensic analysis discovered 2180 still images and 315 videos, and that Mackay was a registered sex offender and on a community payback order.
They were categorised in three rankings of obscenity, the highest being ‘A’, of which there were 308 images and 171 videos.
In ‘B’, there were 511 stills and 107 videos, and in ‘C’, the memory stick had 1,361 photographs and 37 videos.
They were created between March and December 2019.
Liam Mackay admitted downloading indecent images and videos, the play time of which was a total of one day, six hours, three minutes and one second.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the people highlighted on this website, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report to Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.