Prison officer who ran rehab for sex offenders becomes one after disgusting images found

A disgraced former Scottish prison officer who once ran "intensive" rehab courses for sex offenders has been shamed further after being placed on the himself, following a shocking discovery of child abuse material and extreme pornography at his home, including an image of a woman having sex with a donkey.

Peter Sugden's house in Reddingmuirhead, Falkirk, was stormed by in June last year when he fell prey to a "sting" operation by a London-based paedophile hunter group.

The ex-HMP Edinburgh warder faced the music at Falkirk Sheriff on Tuesday, May 20, admitting to indecent communication with someone he believed was a child named "Abbie", who turned out to be an adult decoy called Sonia.

Now residing in Rumford, near Maddiston, and working as a driver, Sugden also confessed to possessing and downloading child pornography, as well as owning extreme pornographic content featuring a woman and a donkey, and men with dogs.

The court heard that 12 child sexual abuse and exploitation images and one child sexual abuse and exploitation video were found, reports. Two of the photographs were considered Category A, the most serious kind.

Solicitor Sarah McIlwham, defending, said Sugden had no previous convictions.

McIlwham remarked: "Until the events which bring us to court today, he was a happily married man - married for over 20 years. There are two children of that union.

"Up until this offence, he'd been working in SPS as a prison officer for over 22 years. He had a very positive upbringing. His parents are here today.

"These offences have caused great distress, not only to his ex-wife and daughters but also to his parents and immediate family.

"Mr Sugden is a man who never thought he would be in front of the courts but finds himself here after a significant lapse in judgement.

"It's something for which he's deeply remorseful and regretful of. However he takes full responsibility. He's had his life turned upside down by these offences.

"He was put out the family home. He has not returned, he has no chances of reconciliation with his wife and quite frankly he is too ashamed to try.

"Similarly, the relationship he has with his two daughters is strained.

"There was a lapse in judgement. His mental health prior to this offending had been significantly down. He's currently medicated for that. He doesn't see himself coming off this medication for some time.

"He is a man somewhat broken by his actions."

The court heard that Sugden has already paid to undertake rehab work the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and has been engaging with child abuse prevention charity Stop It Now!

Sheriff Craig Harris placed Sugden under supervision for three years and on the sex offenders register for the same period.

He ordered Sugden to complete 210 hours of unpaid work in the next two years and imposed a string of strict conduct requirements affecting Sugden's internet use.

Sheriff Harris said: "These offences involve a high degree of culpability. In terms of harm, viewing, downloading and distributing indecent images of children is part of the process of child abuse.

"In terms of harm, viewing, downloading and distributing indecent images of children is part of the process of child abuse. Those who access material bear responsibility for the abuse for creating a demand for such material.

"You worked yourself with sex offenders. You delivered a high intensity programme."