Paedophile admits 32 offences during two-year campaign of abuse

A prolific sex offender in Argyll and Bute set up private chat rooms to exchange footage with other paedophiles of him attacking 10 children. Benjamin Young repeatedly abused the youngsters during a near two-year campaign.

The 42 year-old cook was finally caught days before Christmas last year after the National Crime Agency discovered he had sent photos to a fellow paedophile in Denmark.

It led to his home being raided and police seizing two mobile phones which stored almost 20,000 indecent images and videos.

The High Court in Glasgow heard today how one child alone had been raped 26 times.

First offender Young - via his KC Ronnie Renucci - pleaded guilty to a total of 32 charges.

These included rape, multiple sexual assault as well as the possession, taking and distribution of indecent images.

A judge told Young he had plumbed "the depths of depravity".

A full risk assessment was instructed to be carried out which could eventually lead to Young made the subject of an Order for Lifelong Restriction.

The offences occurred between January 2021 and December 2022 mainly in Argyll and Bute.

Prosecutor Kath Harper said: "This case involves extensive and prolonged sexual offending by Young against 10 children - all aged under 13 years - and one adult.

"The offending encompasses, but is not limited to, voyeurism, sexual assault and rape.

"It also includes the creation and distribution of indecent videos and images including Young raping and sexually abusing children."

Police Scotland were tipped off by the National Crime Agency that a person at Young's then address had sent 234 photos to a fellow pervert in Denmark using the Wickr messaging app.

Officers seized a Huweai phone and initially discovered 1,300 abuse images. A separate LG phone was also found.

Young was identified in them as well as a red leather couch in a room where he had been staying at the time.

The court heard a total of 19,424 still images and 700 videos were found on the devices.

A number of the haul was described as being at the "worst end of the spectrum" for such footage.

Police found Young had abused a total of 10 children.

Cyber crime officers found Young had been involved in a number of private paedophile chat rooms as both "a user and moderator".

Among the names he used was "cutefoot".

Explaining his role, Miss Harper said this included him persuading other perverts to prey on youngsters and he only allowed entry to the chat-rooms in exchange for indecent images.

The advocate depute revealed how Young abused the 10 youngsters involved.

Much of it is too graphic to explain in detail.

But, one child was sexually assaulted 40 times and raped on 26 ocassions.

The abuse of another saw Young place a "handwritten sign" on the youngster "suggesting his intention to distribute images" of the child.

Young also pleaded guilty today to sexually assaulting a woman while she was sleeping. He further recorded her in a "voyeuristic manner".

After Young was arrested, the court heard he "maintained complete silence" while being questioned.

Family of a number of the young victims were at court today to see Young admit his guilt.

Lord Arthurson remanded him in custody and adjourned the case until March 19 next year in Edinburgh.

The judge said there are some case where "words can be inadequate" to describe what was heard.

Lord Arthurson told Young: "Your offending has plumbed the depths of depravity.

"You are plainly a calculating and committed paedophile.

"I think it can be safely said that this is one of the worst types of this sort of case to come before the court."

Young showed no emotion as he was led handcuffed to the cells.

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