A Scots child abuser, who was convicted of being part of a paedophile ring in a drugs den, claimed he had never watched pornography, according to court testimony. Iain Owens, 46, was found guilty of being involved in a paedophile ring that abused three children. The trial in 2023 revealed shocking details of Satanic rituals and dog-killing in a drugs den where heroin and cocaine were used. Owens is facing sentencing for 18 charges, including gang rape and attempted murder, along with six co-accused, later this month at the High Court in Glasgow.
The High Court in Glasgow heard that Owens challenged a risk assessment which labelled him as “high risk” and maintained that he had never viewed pornography. Professor David Cooke, a risk assessor, testified that Owens suffers from sexual sadism disorder, paedophilic disorder, and exhibits all risk factors for future sexual violence. Despite admitting to involvement in drug dealing during interviews in 2024, Owens denied having sexual fantasies or accessing pornography.
Professor Cooke highlighted that Owens failed to cooperate fully during the evaluation and projected blame onto others. He suggested that treating Owens would be challenging and expressed pessimism about positive outcomes. The court was informed that Owens should be subject to intensive monitoring and surveillance if released back into the community due to the nature of his risk factors for sexual violence.
Owens’ defence advocate cross-examined the risk assessment report, pointing out that there was no evidence of child-related or sexual activity on Owens’ mobile phone, only communication related to drug supply. The court heard that Owens refused to disclose his sexual fantasies and denied viewing pornography. The hearing continues in front of Judge Lord Beckett at the High Court in Glasgow.
In summary, the testimony presented in the High Court in Glasgow sheds light on the disturbing case of Iain Owens, a convicted child abuser who denies watching pornography despite being found guilty of heinous crimes within a paedophile ring. The revelations from the risk assessment highlight the complexities of dealing with individuals who exhibit such dangerous behaviours and the challenges in addressing their underlying issues.
In this case, it is crucial for the justice system to consider the expert insights provided by professionals like Professor David Cooke in assessing and managing the risks posed by individuals convicted of such serious offences. The need for intensive monitoring and surveillance, as suggested by the risk assessor, underscores the importance of robust measures to protect the public from individuals with a high risk of reoffending.