KEVIN EMSLIE FROM BRIDGE OF DON ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD INDECENT IMAGES CASE IN ABERDEEN AND MILLTIMBER

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the local community, Kevin Emslie, a 46-year-old resident of Bridge of Don, was brought before Aberdeen Sheriff Court in April 2017 to face serious charges related to the creation and possession of indecent images of children. The proceedings revealed disturbing details about the nature and extent of his offenses, which spanned over a decade and involved multiple locations in the Aberdeen area, including Milltimber and Bridge of Don.

Kevin Emslie, who was employed by the Press and Journal at the time, initially denied the allegations, asserting his innocence throughout the trial. However, after a jury deliberation, he was found guilty of making indecent images of children between October 2004 and November 2015. The court also considered a second charge concerning the possession of such images, but a verdict of not proven was returned on that count, indicating insufficient evidence to convict beyond a reasonable doubt.

The court proceedings detailed that the offenses took place at two primary locations: his mother’s residence on Beaconhill Road in Milltimber and his own address on Newburgh Crescent in Bridge of Don. Police investigations led to searches at both properties on November 10, 2015. During the search of his mother’s house, officers found a locked room, which was subsequently inaccessible. At his residence on Newburgh Crescent, authorities discovered a computer tower, a memory card from a camera, and the keys to the locked room. These items contained a total of 156 indecent images, including 14 graphic photographs depicting young boys and girls, aged between five and 13, being abused by adults.

The images were categorized into different severity levels, with 128 classified as Category C, the least severe, 19 in Category B, and nine in the most serious Category A. The court heard that the images were stored on two separate computer devices, raising concerns about the extent of the material Emslie had access to and possibly created.

Throughout the trial, Emslie’s defense advocate, David Moggach, argued that the Crown had failed to establish his responsibility for the images found on the devices. He pointed out that the homes at Beaconhill Road were frequently visited by others, which could have introduced the images onto the devices without Emslie’s direct involvement. Despite his client’s claims of innocence, the court acknowledged the seriousness of the offense and the potential risk of reoffending.

In sentencing, Sheriff Graeme Napier emphasized that the quantity of images was not in the high hundreds, suggesting a relatively lower volume compared to other cases. Emslie was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work within nine months and was placed under supervision for a period of one year. The court also mandated that he register as a sex offender for one year, reflecting the gravity of the charges.

Following the court proceedings, Kevin Emslie declined to comment outside the courthouse. Damian Bates, editor of the Press and Journal, stated that the newspaper had taken immediate disciplinary action upon learning of the charges. Emslie was suspended from his role and subsequently dismissed from the publication as a result of the guilty verdict.

Overall, this case highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding the possession and creation of indecent images of children, and the legal consequences faced by those found guilty of such offenses in the Aberdeen area, including Bridge of Don and Milltimber.