A retired fireman has been caught with over 1,000 horrific images and videos of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Twisted Roger Hoiles was snared when cops received information that a device linked to his Neilston home was connected to the internet and contained the horrific material.
The 78-year-old, who worked as a fireman for 25 years, admitted yesterday he was in possession of indecent images of children on a Samsung mobile phone and stored on a memory card that he kept in his wallet.
Hoiles, of Glen Isla Avenue, also "distributed" the sick material by sending it to others on WhatsApp.
Procurator fiscal depute Alyson McLaughlan told Paisley Sheriff Court police received information on July 28 last year that a device was connected to the internet and contained child sexual exploitation and abuse material that was available to share.
Ms McLaughlan explained: "The location of the device was discovered as the home address of the accused. Police Scotland were granted a warrant which was executed on Monday, October 14.
"Officers attended at the accused's home and, during the course of the search, two Samsung mobile phones were recovered which the accused admitted ownership of and provided the PIN numbers.
"An initial examination of the devices by cybercrime officers showed that, on one of the Samsung phones, there were over 30 images and videos of child sexual exploitation and abuse in categories A, B and C. Hoiles was taken to Helen Street police station and processed.
"During this time, a memory card was found within the accused's wallet. This was seized and sent along with the mobile phones for cybercrime analysis. The accused was cautioned and charged to which he replied, 'I am ashamed'."
The town's court heard a total of 700 images of abuse were recovered from the devices. A total of 197 were classified as Category A, 188 were in Category B, and 315 were in Category C.
A total of 495 videos were also recovered. Of these, 316 were classified as Category A, 106 were Category B and 73 as Category C. The images and videos predominantly contained female children aged between four and 16 years of age.
Defence agent Terry Gallanagh told the court: "The words uttered when this man was arrested aren't close to the depth of shame he has by engaging in this conduct. He has repeatedly expressed horror and shame by acting in this manner.
"He has asked me to publicly express his deepest remorse for the harm he has caused to the children involved in this, to those who he sent messages to and, most importantly, to his wife and family."
Mr Gallanagh explained Hoiles' wife has taken unwell as a result of her husband's behaviour and that two of his sons have "withdrawn contact out of shame".
Sheriff Thomas McCartney adjourned sentencing for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report, a restriction of liberty order assessment and a risk assessment.
Hoiles was placed on the sex offenders' register meantime and will return to court for sentencing on November 21.