OLDMELDRUM WOMAN SENT TO SEX OFFENDERS REGISTER FOR SHARING CHILD ABUSE VIDEO
An woman from Oldmeldrum has been placed on the sex offenders register after she forwarded a child abuse video to her sister via WhatsApp.Chichi Dallas, aged 42, appeared in Aberdeen Sheriff Court and admitted to sending an indecent, highly serious category video — which depicted a child involved in sexual activity with an adult — through the messaging platform.The court was told that police had carried out a search at Dallas' home in July 2020 after discovering she had received the video during an investigation into another person suspected of possessing indecent images of children.During the search, electronic devices were seized and examined; it was revealed she had received a Category A indecent video showing a young child in sexual acts.Dallas also forwarded this video to her sister on March 20, 2020.
She pleaded guilty to downloading and distributing child abuse material.
The court accepted that Dallas had no "deviant sexual purpose" in sending the video, and her solicitor explained she sent it to "highlight child abuse" and did not fully understand Scottish laws regarding indecent images.Police Investigation and Court ProceedingsPolice found the video after executing a warrant in July 2020, and the investigation revealed the video was four minutes and 35 seconds long.
A further indecent image was found on her phone but was inaccessible.
Defense solicitor Mike Monro explained that Dallas was part of a large WhatsApp group, and the video was shared as a way to illustrate the prevalence of child abuse in her community, saying she forwarded the content "as if to say ‘look what was sent to me’".Sheriff Graham Buchanan acknowledged her lack of deviant sexual purpose and her limited understanding of the law.
He sentenced her to a community payback order with supervision for 12 months and placed her on the sex offenders register for one year.This case highlights the importance of understanding the legal implications of sharing indecent images, even if the intention is not malicious.
Society must remain vigilant against any form of child abuse and ensure offenders are appropriately penalized.
