ANGUS MCCORMACK FROM DUNDEE AND MONIFIETH JAILED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IMAGES

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Dundee and Monifieth, Angus McCormack, a teacher employed at Monifieth High School, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found in possession of an extensive collection of indecent images and videos depicting child abuse. The court proceedings revealed that McCormack, aged 50, was caught with a staggering total of 7,600 images and over ten hours of video footage, all involving children, predominantly boys, being subjected to abuse.

These materials were discovered during a police raid on his residence on the outskirts of Dundee, following a tip-off that he was actively downloading such illicit content. The police action was carried out at his home in Dundee, where they seized his computer and multiple hard drives. The investigation uncovered images involving infants and children up to the age of 16, with some classified at the most severe level of the scale used by judicial authorities to measure the seriousness of such material.

Further examination of the seized devices revealed logs from Skype, indicating that McCormack had shared some of these images online with other sex offenders. The police also found that he had been involved in the distribution of indecent photographs, with evidence pointing to a specific incident at an address in Clayhills Gardens, Birkhill, on October 8 of the previous year. McCormack admitted to downloading the images between June 23 and October 22 of the same year, and to distributing indecent photographs of children.

During the court hearing, his defense solicitor, John Macdonald, explained that McCormack had begun downloading these images as a way to 'exorcise his demons,' claiming that he was sexually abused as a young boy himself. Macdonald emphasized that McCormack did not derive any pleasure or arousal from viewing the images, asserting that his actions were driven by a desire to understand and confront his own past trauma. He stated, “He is clear that he derived no pleasure or arousal from viewing any images. The images were downloaded as a means to an end and as a vehicle for him to set up contact with persons whom he thought may be able to provide insight as to the guilt and burden which he carried as a result of the incident on him when he was a child.”

However, Sheriff Kevin Veal was unequivocal in his condemnation of McCormack’s actions. He pointed out that the parents of pupils at Monifieth High School would have been horrified to learn of their teacher’s clandestine activities outside the classroom. The sheriff sentenced McCormack to a six and a half year extended sentence, comprising three and a half years of imprisonment followed by three years on license. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.

In his remarks, Sheriff Veal emphasized the gravity of the crimes, stating, “These offences are anything but victimless crimes, each photograph represents the serious abuse of the child depicted. Those who access this material must bear some degree of responsibility for the abuse by creating a demand for such depraved material. The accused has endured a very spectacular fall from grace, but imprisonment for a significant period is the only disposal which would command any level of public acceptance.”

This case has not only led to McCormack’s removal from his teaching position—he has been sacked by Angus Council and suspended by the General Teaching Council—but also highlights the ongoing issues surrounding the possession and distribution of child abuse images. The community and authorities alike are reminded of the importance of vigilance and swift action in tackling such heinous crimes, which cause irreparable harm to the victims involved.