George Nish pleaded guilty to taking or permitting to be taken or making indecent images of children at his home in Wardlaw Crescent in Loans between October 7, 2022 and September 23, 2024
The 57-year-old also admitting to possession of the same images of children, totalling 5,860 still and 19 videos, between October 7, 2022 and 1 October 1, 2024 at the same address.
Ayr Sheriff Court heard Nish told police he started collecting the images after Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements [MAPPA] training, given to police, council workers and health professions for monitoring sex offenders.
The Procurator Fiscal depute said: “On October 1, 2024, police attended the accused’s home address. The accused was present and cautioned.
“When showed the search warrant the accused then said ‘I may have images of that nature’.
“During a search of his home devices including mobile phones, tablets, a USB and a hard drive were recovered.
“He said while at work doing MAPPA [Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements] training and thought this relates to him also.
“An initial search found indecent images of children on his mobile phone. The devices were then seized for proper analysis.
“He was informed he was under arrest and the accused made no reply. He was conveyed to Kilmarnock Police Office and processed in the usual manner.
“He declined a solicitor before interview -and he provided a full interview and spoke throughout.
“He stated within his line of work as a charge nurse in a mental health hospital he came across registered sex offenders.
“This opened his mind for this and began to search for this out of ‘morbid curiosity’ and knew this was wrong.
“He stated he obtained images on social media and used programmes to remove clothing and make indecent pictures.”
George Nish (Image: Social media)
Nish maintained it was “not for gratification” and said they were “solely his, no one else had access to them”.
The Procurator Fiscal depute continued: “He stated this had been going on for several years on and off and knew he should get help.
Cybercrime analysis of four mobile phones showed a total of 5,860 still images and 19 videos, which were “predominantly females aged from five to 14 years”.
The Crown added they would be seeking a further Sexual Harm Prevention Order on the offender.
Solicitor Colin McLaughlin, representing Nish as defence agent for James Irvine solicitors, said background reports would be required.
Sheriff Siobhan Connelly said: “These are serious charges you have plead guilty to today. I require further information and to defer for a criminal justice social work report, restriction of liberty order and a risk assessment.
“In the meantime I will continue bail and you are required to remember you are subject to special conditions.
“I will continue consideration of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and you will be subject to the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act.”
Nish will return for sentencing at a later date.
Caroline Cameron, director of North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “For confidentiality reasons, we are unable to provide any personal information. However, we can confirm this person no longer works for NHS Ayrshire and Arran.
“As this is an ongoing court case, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further at this time.”