COLIN WILSON FROM ORKNEY JAILED IN ELGIN FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL

In April 2006, a serious case involving the possession of a vast collection of child pornography led to the imprisonment of Colin Wilson, a computer engineer originally from the Orkney Islands, now residing in Elgin, Moray. Wilson, aged 39, was found guilty of downloading an astonishing 23,000 indecent images depicting girls under the age of 12, a crime that has shocked the local community and law enforcement agencies alike.

Wilson appeared before Inverness Sheriff Court to face the charges, where the gravity of his actions was laid bare. His legal representative attempted to downplay the severity of the offense, comparing Wilson’s interest in the material to a hobby of 'train spotting' at Inverness. Despite this analogy, Sheriff Charles McNair was unequivocal in his stance, emphasizing that such crimes are far from victimless. He pointed out that children are subjected to horrific abuse, and viewing such images perpetuates the cycle of exploitation.

The court was informed that Wilson had fled his home in Orkney after the criminal activities came to light. The investigation was initiated as part of a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies targeting child pornography networks. Fiscal Stella Swan revealed that Wilson had obtained images and videos over an extended period, organized in a systematic manner. She described this case as the largest of its kind ever handled by the Northern Constabulary, underscoring the seriousness of the offense.

During the hearing, Wilson’s defense lawyer, Marc Dickson, explained that his client’s interest in pornography began during a difficult period following his marriage breakdown. He stated, “Initially it was adult-oriented, but it progressed to him downloading images of a paedophilic nature.” Mr. Dickson also highlighted Wilson’s profession as a computer engineer, suggesting that his familiarity with digital file structures made it easier for him to store and organize the illicit material. He likened Wilson’s behavior to 'train spotting,' implying it was a compulsive but non-violent activity. The lawyer emphasized that Wilson had not shared the images with others and had since moved on from the offending behavior, having established a new relationship in Elgin and expressing intentions to pursue a science degree at Moray College.

However, Sheriff McNair was clear in his judgment. While acknowledging that most of the images fell into the lower scale of child pornography, he noted that some videos were far more disturbing. The sheriff stated, “I do not consider I would be doing my public duty if I did not sentence you to imprisonment for these offenses. The downloading of images from the internet is not a victimless crime. These children whose images you were watching were being abused in the most foul manner. If people did not view this material, it would not be created in the first place. It is the viewing of these images that contributes significantly to the ongoing abuse of children.”

As a result, Wilson was sentenced to two years in prison. Additionally, he was placed on license for a further 18 months and ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child exploitation and the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat such heinous crimes, especially in remote communities like Orkney and towns like Elgin.