An Aberdeen dad has been caught with thousands of child porn images as well as footage of adults involved in sex acts with animals – including a snake and a dolphin.
Cornelius Conn, a convicted cannabis producer, downloaded more than 8,000 illicit pictures onto his home computer and two laptops over a three year period.
The sick haul of pornographic photographs involved children – mostly girls aged between one and 15-years-old – and adults.
More than four hours of sexually explicit video footage was also uncovered by officers.
A separate stash of animal pornography included photos and footage of humans engaged in sexual activity with animals including dogs, horses, a snake and a dolphin.
The court heard police raided Conn’s Rosemount Place flat in Aberdeen after receiving a tip off from specialist child protection officers.
And yesterday the 46-year-old appeared at the city’s sheriff court and admitted downloading the material between March 3, 2013 and February 1 last year.
He further admitted possessing “extreme pornographic” images of humans and animals.
His not guilty plea to a third charge of possessing child pornography – dating back to October, 2007 – was accepted by the Crown.
Fiscal depute Alan Townsend said Conn – who was convicted of growing 50 cannabis plants worth as much as £45,000 in 2014 – denied all knowledge of the sickening stash of pornography when he was questioned by police.
However, he admitted he was the sole user of the machine the images were stored on.
And when Conn was first charged he simply responded: “It’s nuts but what can I say.”
Representing the repeat offender, solicitor Laura Gracie said her client – who has two young children with his partner – was “keen to remain on bail” while social workers prepare a report on the background of the case.
Sheriff Graeme Napier deferred sentencing Conn while the social work department establishes “what threat Conn poses” to young children and wider society.
He said: “These are serious offences, it is quite likely a custodial sentence will be imposed. But I won’t prejudge the reports.”
The case has been adjourned until Friday, April 7.
Conn was placed on the sex offenders’ register while reports are prepared. He was released on bail.
