POLICE Scotland has spoken out after a former Clydebank councillor was jailed this week.

On Tuesday, we reported that Craig Edward had been sentenced to 28 months in prison at Dumbarton Sheriff Court after pleading guilty to three sex crimes in February.

Detective Inspector Michelle Burns of Police Scotland’s National Child Abuse Investigation Unit branded Edward’s behaviour as “appalling”.

She said: “The offending and behaviour of Edward was appalling. He showed utter contempt for the child victims and the horrific sexual abuse they suffered in the images and videos he was viewing and sharing.

"In committing these crimes, Edward believed that his online offending would go undetected.

"However, there is no hiding place and because of our investigation, he will now rightly face a custodial sentence and the consequences of his actions.

"Any form of child sexual abuse is a serious criminal offence and is a priority for Police Scotland.

"We encourage anyone with concerns about a child at risk of abuse, or a potential victim, to contact police immediately.”

Edward resigned as an independent councillor for Clydebank Central on March 15.

It came just days after Michelle McGinty, depute leader of West Dunbartonshire Council, filed a motion to the local authority calling on him to quit with immediate effect.

Edward, 34, has been placed on a sexual harm prevention order for five years and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.