FERGUS BARCLAY CAUGHT IN BRECHIN WITH CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND VIDEOS

Fergus Barclay, a young man who was still attending Montrose Academy at the time, found himself at the center of a serious criminal investigation after authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images of children. The investigation culminated in a police raid early in the morning at his former family residence in Brechin, where he was apprehended without incident.

During his court appearance at Dundee Sheriff Court, Barclay admitted to possessing a significant number of illicit files. These files, created between June 2020 and April 2021, included hundreds of indecent images of minors. A detailed analysis of his Samsung Galaxy S10 revealed that the device contained 329 accessible still images depicting child abuse, classified as Category B and Category C, which are considered among the most graphic forms of such material. In addition to these accessible images, authorities found 1,367 files that were inaccessible, along with 28 videos, all related to child exploitation.

The oldest files discovered on his device dated back to June 1, 2020, with the most recent being created less than a week before the police seized the phone. When questioned by investigators, Barclay claimed that his actions were part of a YouTube persona where he pretended to be a minor in order to catch predators, describing himself as a 'paedophile hunter.' However, the court was not convinced by this explanation and moved to secure his mobile phone as evidence, with a hearing scheduled later in the month to determine its fate.

Barclay, who now resides in Montrose, has no prior criminal record. He pleaded not guilty to charges involving the possession of extreme pornography, specifically images involving a female and a horse, but the Crown accepted his plea. The sheriff decided to defer sentencing and continued his bail until March 29, pending further reports and assessments. Additionally, Barclay was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period, reflecting the severity of the charges against him.

As he exited the courtroom, Barclay attempted to conceal his face by covering it with a hood, facemask, sunglasses, and court paperwork, clearly showing signs of shame and remorse. The court proceedings are set to resume upon his return, and further legal actions are anticipated, including possible forfeiture of electronic devices and additional sentencing. The case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and the importance of judicial processes in addressing such heinous crimes.