Former police officer caught with hundreds of indecent images of children is jailed
Last updated 20th Dec 2023
A police officer from the Scottish Borders caught with hundreds of indecent images of children as young as two has today (Wednesday) been jailed for eight months.
Clayton Lackenby - who gave an address in Hawick - resigned his position on the force following his arrest in July last year.
The 50-year-old previously admitted possessing the haul over three years, between May 4th, 2019 and July 14th, 2022.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard there was no suggestion Lackenby - a former Sergeant with 21 years service - had viewed the images during the course of his employment.
The haul included 518 accessible images and 85 accessible videos described as "Category A" - deemed the worst level of offending.
Lackenby indicated he had no sexual interest in children and that his viewing of the material was linked to trauma he had suffered as a child, for which his lawyer, Iain Cahill, said he was now receiving therapy.
The court heard that before his arrest his client felt that he could not seek the appropriate help due to his job.
Sheriff Daniel Kelly noted the first offender's previous good character and that he had shown remorse by taking steps to address his behaviour, but he said there was no alternative to a custodial sentence.
In addition to the jail term, Lackenby has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
The court is also to make a recommendation to Scottish Ministers that the dad-of-two is placed on a list of people unsuitable for working with vulnerable people, including children.
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