Three men who committed what experienced police officers described as among the most "violent and disturbing" child abuse images they had seen have been jailed for a total of seven years.
Andrew Clarke, 42, Alan Dixon, 33, and Calvin McFarlane, 29, all face lengthy jail-terms having been caught during a large-scale probe.
Depraved chats on encrypted apps included Clarke stating it would be "hard not to kill" an infant while the other two discussed kidnapping children and raping a girl in a graveyard.
Clarke, of Cathcart, Glasgow, Dixon, of the city's Jordanhill, and McFarlane, of Greenock, Inverclyde, were sentenced today.
Clare was given two years and six months, Dixon received three years and McFarlane received a one-and-a-half year prison sentence. Dixon and McFarlane will be under supervision upon their release for two years each.
Judge Lord Scott said: "It was heard that police who examined the images described them as the most violent, graphic and disturbing content they have been exposed to.
"While there are no identified victims, this is not a victimless crime.
"You perpetrated the exploitation and rape of children and babies.
"Children will have been left damaged physically and psychologically by the content you used.
"You contributed to the demand for the material.
"Due to the choices each of you made, you will be sentenced to imprisonment.
"I consider the harm each of you contributed to was high and your culpability is high."
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All three were also put on the sex offenders register.
Clarke was an accounts manager for a printing firm, fellow first offender Dixon worked in a supermarket while McFarlane was once formerly employed by prison escort service Geo Amey.
All three knew each other.
McFarlane had first got in contact with Clarke when he was 17 via a dating app.
Prosecutor Leanne Cross told the High Court in Glasgow how the trio were snared during a child exploitation investigation into indecent footage of youngsters.
She added: "Police officers who examined the images recovered described them as being some of the most violent, graphic and disturbing content that they have been exposed to."
Clarke was traced at his work and arrested in December 2024.
A later examination of electronic devices revealed a sickening stash of 1916 photos and 4403 videos of child abuse.
He had exchanged footage with other paedophiles including Dixon.
Clarke stated to one pervert that he "wished he could rape and murder a baby".
Dixon meantime was caught during a sting with an undercover officer.
A total of 794 still images and 1344 moving clips were later discovered on his phone following a search of his home in October 2025.
Dixon's phone went on to reveal contact with McFarlane.
A mobile and tablet device was seized from McFarlane in November 2025.
He admitted to police that he had "viewed and shared" indecent footage.
McFarlane said any discussion about abuse was "fantasy role play".
A hoard of 256 photos and 1666 videos were discovered.
Miss Cross said a series of "grossly offensive and indecent" messages between the trio were also found.
In 2023, Clarke and Dixon discussed their sick plans.
Regarding one child, Clarke said "he would need to be held back and it would be hard not to kill her".
Dixon was said to have "agreed."
In 2024 and 2025, McFarlane spoke about setting up a "kidnapping" of children and Dixon said he would wear a balaclava.
There was also discussion about raping a girl on top of a grave.
Miss Cross: "In later message exchanges, Dixon and McFarlane discussed possible avenues to gain entry to child abuse rings."
All three pled guilty to being involved in the distribution of indecent images.
They further admitted sending messages about the sexual abuse and rape of children.
Clarke and Dixon's charges stated they also discussed the "torture and murder" of youngsters.
Angela Gray KC, defending Clarke, told the sentencing that her client was going through an "emotional crisis" off the back of a breakdown of a relationship.
Lili Prias KC, defending Dixon, told the court: "He has shown shame and disgust in relation to his behaviour for which he takes full responsibility."
Tony Graham KC, defending McFarlane, said: "He struggles to reconcile how he found himself in this situation and he struggles to reconcile about the root source of that material.
"He understands the only solution is for the court to impose a significant custodial sentence."
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