PAUL DONALDSON EX-COP FROM NEWBIGGING CLEARED OF CHILD ABUSE IMAGE CHARGES IN DUNDEE
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Newbigging Child Abuser
Paul Donaldson, a former police officer from Newbigging, who once served in the Tayside police force, faced serious allegations related to the possession and search for indecent images of children. The charges stemmed from a six-year period during which his colleagues discovered that his electronic devices contained inappropriate images and search terms associated with child abuse. These findings prompted an investigation that culminated in a court case held at Dundee Sheriff Court.
During the proceedings, Donaldson, who later transitioned into a career as a health and safety trainer, maintained that he was not responsible for downloading any illicit images. He argued that the images and search terms found on his devices were the result of students attending his training courses, who had used his computers without his knowledge. Donaldson explained that the devices in question, including his computers and an iPod Touch, had been seized by police after concerns were raised about the possible possession of child abuse images. The police investigation uncovered evidence such as images and search terms stored within backup files on his iPod Touch.
Donaldson openly admitted to typing some of the search phrases, citing curiosity as his motivation. However, he insisted that he did not download or view any images himself. He pointed out that similar search terms appeared on his laptops, which he claimed were likely entered by students using his equipment. The police investigation revealed that over the course of six years, a total of 293 images related to child abuse were found on his devices. Additionally, some search terms linked to known paedophile websites were stored in the autocorrect files of his devices.
Prosecutors questioned how such images could have appeared on his devices without his knowledge, especially considering that activity logs indicated email communications occurring shortly after the days when images were supposedly downloaded. Donaldson, who had previously worked on child pornography investigations during his time as a police officer, stated that he had come across the search phrases in an old police notebook and had typed them into his devices out of curiosity. His defense team argued that Donaldson was a victim of deception or coincidence, emphasizing his personal connections and his history of work in child abuse investigations.
After careful deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of not proven, and Sheriff Alastair Carmichael officially acquitted Donaldson of all charges. The court proceedings concluded with Donaldson leaving the courtroom unrestrained, cleared of the allegations that had been brought against him.
During the proceedings, Donaldson, who later transitioned into a career as a health and safety trainer, maintained that he was not responsible for downloading any illicit images. He argued that the images and search terms found on his devices were the result of students attending his training courses, who had used his computers without his knowledge. Donaldson explained that the devices in question, including his computers and an iPod Touch, had been seized by police after concerns were raised about the possible possession of child abuse images. The police investigation uncovered evidence such as images and search terms stored within backup files on his iPod Touch.
Donaldson openly admitted to typing some of the search phrases, citing curiosity as his motivation. However, he insisted that he did not download or view any images himself. He pointed out that similar search terms appeared on his laptops, which he claimed were likely entered by students using his equipment. The police investigation revealed that over the course of six years, a total of 293 images related to child abuse were found on his devices. Additionally, some search terms linked to known paedophile websites were stored in the autocorrect files of his devices.
Prosecutors questioned how such images could have appeared on his devices without his knowledge, especially considering that activity logs indicated email communications occurring shortly after the days when images were supposedly downloaded. Donaldson, who had previously worked on child pornography investigations during his time as a police officer, stated that he had come across the search phrases in an old police notebook and had typed them into his devices out of curiosity. His defense team argued that Donaldson was a victim of deception or coincidence, emphasizing his personal connections and his history of work in child abuse investigations.
After careful deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of not proven, and Sheriff Alastair Carmichael officially acquitted Donaldson of all charges. The court proceedings concluded with Donaldson leaving the courtroom unrestrained, cleared of the allegations that had been brought against him.