By Emylie Howie

Copyright dailyrecord

A man was found in possession of sick child sex abuse images after police launched an investigation into a separate incident. Thomas Carver was arrested at Edinburgh Airport in July last year when he told cops his mobile phone was within his car parked at Skyport parking in Linwood’s Burnbrae Drive. Officers later seized the 43-year-old’s phone and made the horrific discovery that it contained over 100 indecent images of the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. Procurator fiscal depute Alyson McLaughlan told Paisley Sheriff Court: “On July 24, the accused was arrested at Edinburgh Airport in relation to other matters which are not presently before the court. “In the course of his arrest, the accused stated to UK Border Force officers that his mobile phone was within his car which was parked in a car-park in Glasgow Airport. “A search warrant was obtained to seize the accused’s phone from the car in relation to the other matter. “The phone was seized on July 31 by police officers and submitted for forensic examination during which it was identified that it contained 159 indecent images of children. “Of the indecent images, 45 were categorised as Category A, 31 were Category B and 83 images were Category C.” The court heard highly graphic and distressing detail of the images and videos recovered which included the sexual abuse of children as young as four years old. An arrest warrant was quickly issued for Carver, which was executed by police. The Crown made a motion for Carver to be subject to a sexual harm prevention order – a court order designed to protect the public from sexual harm by restricting the behaviour of individuals convicted of certain sexual offences or deemed to pose a risk of sexual harm. They can prohibit a person from carrying out specific actions, such as visiting places with children or restricted internet use. Defence agent Rhona Lynch asked for reports to be called for. Sheriff Small stated: “In view of the lack of record and the charges you have pleaded guilty to, I will defer for reports.” Sentence was adjourned until October 31 for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report, a restriction of liberty order assessment and an extended risk assessment to be carried out. Consideration of the sexual harm prevention order was continued to the same date. Carver, of Oak Terrace, Murton, Durham, was placed on the sex offenders’ register and had his bail continued. Don’t miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – you can sign up to our free daily newsletter here