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A Lanarkshire man has been jailed for sexual offences involving children and sharing indecent images of youngsters.

Jon Jardine was handed a 20-month sentence despite his lawyer pleading for him to be given help in the community instead.

Jardine, 28, of Fraser Crescent, Hamilton, admitted possessing and sharing child porn and committing offences against a girl and a boy.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that police officers seized two mobile phones from his home in December 2021.

These contained nearly 300 pictures and videos showing children being abused.

There was also evidence that he had shared five images with fellow paedophiles.

Defence advocate Charles Ferguson said Jardine has "faced up to his guilt" and is "prepared to change".

He had endured problems during his "formative years", witnessing domestic abuse and being bullied at school.

Mr Ferguson told the court: "I suggest the public might be better protected if efforts are made to change this young man rather than send him to prison.

"He is a first offender who requires intervention. The criminal justice social work report concludes that the appropriate sentence is a community payback order."

However, Sheriff Higgins told Jardine the offences had "crossed the custody threshold".

While the identity of the children in the images might never be known, they were all "defenceless victims".

The two children he'd admitted offences against were likely to suffer "serious psychological harm".

The sheriff told Jardine: "I'm told you lead an isolated life and you are a vulnerable person, but only custody is appropriate in the circumstances."

Jardine will be on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Court security staff had to move quickly to prevent a scuffle as sentence was passed.

A supporter of Jardine shouted 'Keep your head up, big man' and was confronted by another male in the public benches.

Other spectators shouted abuse as the accused was being led away.

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A 20-year-old man has been convicted of murdering 16-year-old Amber Gibson.

Amber was reported missing from the Hamilton area on Friday, 26 November, 2021 and her body was discovered near to Cadzow Glen on Sunday, 28 November, 2021.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday, 25 July, 2023, Connor Gibson was convicted of murder, sexual assault and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Another man, Stephen Corrigan, aged 45, was also found guilty in this case of attempting to defeat the ends of justice and Breach of the Peace.

They are due to be sentenced on Monday, 4 September, 2023.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Livingstone, Head of Major Crime said: "It's hard to imagine how difficult this has been for Amber’s family and friends and our thoughts very much remain with them. I hope this conviction brings them some degree of comfort.

"The actions of both Gibson and Corrigan leaves them beneath contempt.

"This was a challenging and complex investigation involving a range of specialist officers from within Police Scotland working closely with our partners in forensic services, all of whom I would pay tribute to for their professionalism and dedication whilst carrying out their work.

"I would like to thank the members of the public for their help during our enquiries, which undoubtedly assisted in securing this conviction."