ELGIN MAN CHRISTOPHER BLAKESLY SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In January 2019, a disturbing case involving Christopher Blakesly, a resident of Elgin, came to light when he was convicted of possessing nearly 2,000 images and videos depicting child abuse. The case drew significant attention due to the severity of the material found and the circumstances surrounding his breach of bail conditions.

Blakesly, aged 27 at the time, had previously been arrested in the summer of 2017 after detectives uncovered a substantial collection of indecent images of children on his mobile device. The police investigation revealed that he had stored 1,651 images and 67 videos on his phone, some of which depicted extremely disturbing acts involving very young children, including an 18-month-old boy confined in a dog cage and a two-year-old being sexually abused. These images were classified into categories based on their severity, with 150 files considered to be Category A, the most serious, indicating the presence of the most heinous material.

Following his arrest, Blakesly was granted bail on July 5, 2017, under strict conditions designed to prevent further offenses. He was prohibited from owning or possessing any device capable of accessing the internet without informing the police and providing the serial number of such devices. Additionally, he was barred from possessing any other internet-enabled device without explicit police approval. Despite these restrictions, Blakesly was found in possession of a Samsung tablet and a watch during a routine police visit to Meadow Crescent in Elgin on May 4, 2018. The officers discovered these items without prior authorization, and Blakesly had no valid explanation for possessing them, leading to his breach of bail conditions.

His breach was taken seriously, and Sheriff Chris Dickson ordered the case to be adjourned to allow for a comprehensive social work report to be prepared. Blakesly, who resides on Banff Road in Keith, had previously pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children between June 17 and July 4, 2017. The police investigation also uncovered that the images included particularly disturbing content, such as footage of an 18-month-old boy in a dog cage and a two-year-old being sexually abused. The severity of the material prompted the court to consider the case with utmost seriousness.

During the sentencing hearing at Elgin Sheriff Court, Blakesly admitted to the possession of the images and videos. His defense lawyer, Matthew O’Neill, argued for leniency, explaining that Blakesly had initially sought out the images after learning about the dark web and had allowed his viewing habits to spiral out of control. O’Neill emphasized that Blakesly was aware of his addiction and had not actively sought more images, suggesting that his actions were driven by a compulsive behavior rather than malicious intent.

However, the prosecution highlighted the grave nature of the offenses. Detective officers confirmed that among the files recovered, 150 were classified as Category A, representing the most serious offenses involving the worst forms of child exploitation. The court was also informed that Blakesly’s actions contributed to creating demand for such material, which perpetuates the cycle of abuse.

After considering a psychological report and the arguments presented, Sheriff Chris Dickson sentenced Blakesly to nine months in prison. The judge acknowledged the remorse shown by Blakesly but emphasized that the severity of the crimes warranted a custodial sentence. Furthermore, Blakesly was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years, and his case was referred to Scottish ministers, who could decide whether he should be restricted from working with children. The court also mandated the confiscation of his mobile phone and placed restrictions on his future conduct to prevent further offenses.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat child exploitation and highlights the importance of strict legal measures to address such heinous crimes. The community in Elgin and surrounding areas remains vigilant, knowing that justice has been served in this disturbing case involving Christopher Blakesly.