A social worker snared with indecent images of children claimed he forwarded them on to friends for “shock value”.
Ronnie Park had eight images on two different iPhones and distributed them to pals between May 2017 and December 2019.
The 47-year-old, who is also a stand-up comedian and local radio DJ, suggested “black humour” was behind his actions.
Park, who was a social worker for Clackmannanshire Council, pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court on Friday to possession and distribution of indecent images.
The court heard officers raided Park’s home in the city’s Baillieston and seized an iPhone.
Prosecutor Mark Allan told the court Park admitted ownership of the device and stated he owned no others.
A cybercrime examination of the phone recovered three moving indecent images of children.
Mr Allan added: “These were images of children between infant age and nine years.
“Images were distributed to another by the accused using WhatsApp.”
Park was arrested before another iPhone was recovered from him which contained a further five moving images.
Mr Allan stated: “These were children aged between six months and 11-years-old.
“These moving images were images of child exploitation.”
The hearing was told the five images were also distributed by Park on WhatsApp.
Lawyer Ross Yuill, defending, told the court that Park was sent the images on WhatsApp groups and didn’t search for them.
Mr Yuill added: “These were from people known to him and were considered of shock value and some level of dark humour was involved.
“These were for shock or surprise and were sent to some friends and not some random people or chatroom.
“These images are vile and distressing and should not have been circulated in any way.”
Sentence was deferred until next month by Sheriff Martin Jones QC for background reports.
Park was bailed and put on the Sex Offenders’ Register meantime.
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