Man caught with extreme porn banned from accessing internet without prior approval
Last updated 28th Apr 2025
A 20-year-old man found in possession of extreme porn showing adults engaging in sexual activity with dogs and a rat has been banned from accessing the internet without prior approval as part of a one-year Community Payback Order.
Joshua Simmons, from Innerleithen - who was also found to have dozens of indecent images and videos of children - has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for 12 months.
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard the offences took place at his home in George Street and elsewhere between June 2021 and March last year.
Simmons previously pled guilty to both charges.
Passing sentence today (Monday), Sheriff Peter Paterson said the CPO is a direct alternative to custody.
As part of the 12-month supervision order, Simmons must also allow police to search any device he has capable of accessing the internet and refrain from deleting its search history.
His solicitor, Mat Patrick, said: "He's a young man who's done something incredibly stupid." And he added: "He's very ashamed of himself."
Indecent chat
A 62-year-old man from Galashiels has admitted sending a number of videos which show him committing a sex act on himself to a person he believed to be a 13-year-old girl.
Keith Ward also requested his victim send him pictures and sent her an image showing him lying on a bed with his private parts exposed.
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard he approached the youngster in an online chat platform, before moving to instant messaging app Snapchat, and engaged her in conversation which quickly became sexual.
But prosecutor India McLean revealed he had in fact been communicating with an undercover police officer, posing as a teenager.
Ward pled guilty to attempting to communicate indecently with an older child when he appeared in the dock today (Monday).
Sentence has been deferred for background reports until June 9th, and he's been placed on the Sex Offenders Register meantime.
Careless driving
A court's heard a woman was left with a large cut on her stomach and a fractured leg after a van crossed on to her side of the road and collided with her car on the A72 near Peebles.
Archibald Keltie, from Glasgow, today (Monday) pled guilty to a reduced charge of careless driving, as well as driving while over the legal drink-drive limit, following the incident near Lyne Kirk on June the 10th last year.
Selkirk Sheriff Court heard the 67-year-old - who recorded 90mg of alcohol in his blood when the limit is 67mg - had been unexpectedly called in to work in the Borders to cover for a sick colleague, after drinking the night before.
But his solicitor pointed out he'd been driving for 34 years without incident, and had a clean licence.
Keltie was fined a total of £500 and disqualified from driving for 12 months. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20.
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