Lanarkshire man who committed offences against boy and girl and shared child pornography is jailed

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Lanarkshire man has been jailed for sexual offences involving children and sharing indecent images of youngsters.Jon Jardine was handed a 20-month sentence despite his lawyer pleading for him to be given help in the community instead.Jardine, 28, of Fraser Crescent, Hamilton, admitted possessing and sharing child porn and committing offences against a girl and a boy.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that police officers seized two mobile phones from his home in December 2021.These contained nearly 300 pictures and videos showing children being abused.There was also evidence that he had shared five images with fellow paedophiles.Defence advocate Charles Ferguson said Jardine has "faced up to his guilt" and is "prepared to change".He had endured problems during his "formative years", witnessing domestic abuse and being bullied at school.Mr Ferguson told the court: "I suggest the public might be better protected if efforts are made to change this young man rather than send him to prison."He is a first offender who requires intervention.

The criminal justice social work report concludes that the appropriate sentence is a community payback order."However, Sheriff Higgins told Jardine the offences had "crossed the custody threshold".While the identity of the children in