A PAEDOPHILE hoarded and distributed pictures and video footage including horrific images of child sexual abuse at his Ayrshire home.

Steven Telfer was warned he faces a significant jail term after police discovered more than 500 photos and 377 moving images on a mobile phone at his flat in Maybole.

The 46-year-old, who has already been behind bars since February, appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last week – where a judge said she was considering sending the case to the High Court for a tougher sentence.

Telfer previously admitted possession of indecent photographs of children at his home in St Cuthbert's Street and elsewhere between November 2021 and February of this year.

He also pleaded guilty to distributing or showing still and moving images to other paedophiles, using the Telegram social media app, between January 31 and February 7, 2023.

Bail was refused when Telfer first appeared in court in private on February 9, and he has been in custody on remand ever since.

The procurator fiscal depute told last week’s hearing: “The locus was his home address in St Cuthbert's Street - a one-bedroom flat.

"Police received information indecent images were linked to the address, and a warrant was issued on February 8. 

"During a systematic search, a number of items were seized. Police searched a Samsung phone, finding indecent images. The accused was arrested and taken to Ayr police station. 

"517 still images were found depicting children from 0-18. Of those 181 were category A [the worst level of abuse], 92 were category B, and 306 category C."

The abuse described in court was too horrific to report in the Advertiser.

The fiscal depute added: "Of moving images, 181 were category A, 94 category B and 102 category C.

"It has been agreed that the phone will be destroyed." 

Defence solicitor Steven Maxwell told Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart that his client fully anticipated more time in custody.

He said: "This matter was dealt with by way of a plea; he knows the difficult position he is in. 

"There will be no motion for bail. I know he will be in custody, he knows he will be in custody."

Sheriff MacTaggart told Telfer: "I have concerns I haven't sufficient powers to sentence you, and I have to consider sending you to the High Court.

"This is two indictments of very, very serious offences. I have to consider that the public require protection.

“A custodial sentence is inevitable."

Sentence was deferred for a full risk assessment and social work reports. 

Telfer had previously admitted taking or making indecent images between December 3, 2016 and January 1, 2020, as well as possession of the same types of image between January 16 2016 and April 20, 2020.   

Not guilty pleas to charges of possessing air guns were accepted.

The maximum sentence available at sheriff court level for indictment cases - the most serious - is five years in prison.