KEITH BALLANTYNE FROM GLEN LETHNOT SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND ABUSE

In March 2010, a harrowing case of child abuse and exploitation came to light involving Keith Ballantyne, a man residing in the rural area of Glen Lethnot, Angus. The case was brought to public attention after a young girl, who endured unimaginable trauma at the hands of Ballantyne, courageously wrote a heartfelt plea for help to her mother, revealing the extent of her suffering.

In her letter, the girl, who was only ten years old at the time, expressed her feelings of fear, shame, and a desperate desire for justice. She confided in her mother, saying, “Mum, this is so, so hard to write. I’m sorry I kept it bottled up so long. It makes me cry to sleep most of the time. I want justice. It makes me feel dirty sometimes. Please keep him away from me. I hate him so much.”

Her distress was compounded by the fact that Ballantyne had repeatedly forced her to pose for explicit photographs during the period from May to August 2007. The young girl’s ordeal was not limited to photographs; Ballantyne also exposed himself in videos and asked her to watch pornography, further traumatizing her. On several occasions, he paid her to pose naked, instilling fear that if she refused, he might turn his attention to her younger sister, who was also present during sleepovers at Ballantyne’s residence.

According to prosecutor Arthur Wheelan, the girl and her younger sister had stayed at Ballantyne’s house in Glen Lethnot for sleepovers, during which they would watch videos until the younger girl fell asleep. It was during these visits that Ballantyne committed his crimes, snapping explicit images of the older girl and engaging her in disturbing acts. The prosecutor detailed how Ballantyne’s actions included filming himself exposing his genitals and instructing the girl to watch pornography, actions that left lasting scars.

Ballantyne, who is married and has children in Canada, was arrested upon his return to the UK in November of the same year. Authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of approximately 13,000 child pornography images stored on his computer at his cottage in Glen Lethnot. The severity of his offenses led to his arrest and subsequent prosecution.

During the trial at Forfar Sheriff Court, Ballantyne pleaded guilty to charges of making the girl pose naked and other child pornography offenses. The court heard how the victim’s mental health had been significantly affected; she now struggles with social interactions, finds it difficult to cope at school, and experiences tearful nights. Her letter, which was read aloud in court, highlighted her ongoing emotional pain and the profound impact of his actions.

Sheriff Kevin Veal sentenced Ballantyne to 45 months in prison. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register and will be subject to a three-year period of supervised release upon his release from custody. The case has left a lasting mark on the community and underscores the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from predators like Keith Ballantyne.