MAN USED SIRI TO ACCESS INDECENT MATERIAL
Darren McAllister appeared before Aberdeen Sheriff Court this week to admit possessing multiple indecent images while he was out on bail related to a previous conviction for similar offences.The 39-year-old was found to have approximately four images on his mobile device depicting girls as young as 10 years old.
It was reported that McAllister, who had already pleaded guilty to earlier sex offences, was caught with child abuse material just days before his scheduled court appearance for those prior offences from the previous year.
Sheriff Ian Wallace informed McAllister that because he had been given an alternative to prison during his last sentencing, he had no option but to impose a custodial sentence this time.
Fiscal depute Emma Evans explained that police seized McAllister’s devices during a raid on his home on March 2, 2025, and the cybercrime unit subsequently examined them.
The investigation revealed four indecent images of children one classified as Category A, the most severe, and three as Category C.
The images depicted females aged between 10 and 13 years old and were created between February 12 and March 2 the previous year, just days before he was due to appear in court for other sex offences.
In court, McAllister pleaded guilty to downloading a single count of indecent images of children.
He also admitted to failing to notify authorities of his address, as required under sex offender registration laws, and to possessing a mobile phone without permission.
His solicitor, Gregor Kelly, stated that after his last conviction, McAllister was subject to a three-year community payback order and mandated to attend a sex offender rehabilitation program.
He also noted that police reports indicated McAllister accessed the indecent images using Siri, a virtual assistant app.
Mr Kelly remarked that McAllister is considered to have low intellectual functioning and was on bail for other sex offences when the images were accessed.
The solicitor emphasised the court should consider the small volume of material Harshly, acknowledging societal disgust but noting that McAllister now uses a simple mobile phone, which reduces his risk of further misuse.
He also mentioned that McAllister leads a solitary life.
Sheriff Wallace jailed McAllister, of King Roberts Place, Aberdeen, for nine months and placed him on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
