Window cleaner admits indecency

Peter Broadbent admitted having indecent images on his computer

A window cleaner from the south of Scotland has admitted a charge of having hundreds of indecent images of children stored on his computer.

The discovery was made when Peter Broadbent, 57, of Threave Terrace, Castle Douglas, took his computer for repair after it broke down.

Kirkcudbright Sheriff Court heard a total of 456 images was found.

Sheriff Kenneth Robb deferred sentence on Broadbent and ordered he be placed on the sex offenders register.

Broadbent admitted committing the offence over a three-month period in 2007.

Procurator fiscal depute Joe MacPherson told the court that in July of that year the window cleaner had contacted a firm about his computer which was not working.

When an engineer had started examining it he was distressed to find a number of images of young girls.

On carrying out a further check it was discovered that there were a total of 456 images of young girls in various stages of undress.

Mr MacPherson said police carried out a full investigation and obtained a warrant to search his house.

Sheriff Robb deferred sentence for four weeks on Broadbent and called for social inquiry and community service reports to be prepared.