A teenager who viewed child abuse images and shared them with contacts online has been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
Hamilton Sheriff Court heard police turned up at Josh Findlay’s Bellshill home days after his 18th birthday.
His shocked mother and sisters were present when officers carried out a search of the house in Mansfield Road, where he no longer lives, on June 17 last year.
Findlay, now 19, admitted downloading and sharing indecent images of children.
Daisy Bentley, prosecuting, said 151 photos and 163 videos were found on his phone.
Many – 108 – were classed in the most depraved category.
Ms Bentley added: “A WhatsApp chat thread was recovered. This showed that the accused had distributed 16 videos on May 23 last year.
“During a police interview he insisted that he would never commit any offences against children.”
Defence agent Keith Tuck told the court: “My client required no assistance from me to understand the seriousness of the situation he faces.”
Sheriff John Hamilton deferred sentence until next month for background reports, an electronic tagging assessment and a risk assessment.
Findlay, who has no previous convictions and has since moved address, was allowed to remain on bail.
The sheriff ordered destruction of his mobile phone.
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