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A disgraced former Moray councillor, convicted of child pornography offenses in 2018, was jailed last year for further crimes.
Sean Morton, Labour councillor for Fochabers Lhanbryde from 2012 to 2017, received a 16-month sentence in January 2025, per a Daily Record investigation.
Glasgow Sheriff Court noted he pleaded guilty to possessing indecent child photographs, with the sentence backdated to May 2024.
This followed his 2018 conviction at Elgin Sheriff Court for indecent images of four girls aged 10-15, plus three images of bestiality involving a dog in an iTunes backup.
Morton initially pleaded not guilty, vowing on social media to clear his name, but changed his plea after police revealed more evidence. He received community service and placement on the Sex Offenders’ Register.
Charged on June 10, 2016, after a warrant at his Lhanbryde home, he was suspended by Labour only in January 2017. He ran as an independent in May 2017 elections but finished second-last with under 300 votes.
In a post-sentencing statement, Morton said: “In November 2017, well over a year after this investigation began, I was told how I had come into possession of seven indecent images. These were sent to me anonymously. I realised I hadn’t been as careful about who I spoke to online as I would be in my everyday life. I felt revulsion at what had happened and immediately felt I must accept my guilt. I wish with all my heart the sender never sent the images.”
Morton's history prompted Labour MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy to step down as Holyrood education spokesperson in December over their longstanding friendship.
New revelations have sparked renewed calls for Duncan-Glancy to resign as MSP. After his autumn 2025 release, the offender reportedly dined with her to celebrate her birthday.