PHILIP MAIN'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN ABERDEEN AND PETERHEAD: SEX OFFENDER'S TRIAL INJUSTICE AND LOITERING AT PUBLIC TOILETS
In a significant legal development, Philip Main, a known sex offender with a troubling history in Aberdeen and Peterhead, has had his recent conviction overturned, highlighting ongoing concerns about justice and public safety.Main was previously found guilty of breaching bail conditions after being spotted near a children’s attraction at Duthie Park in Aberdeen, specifically around the Winter Gardens area.
This location is well-known for its pond featuring a mechanical frog, which is a popular spot among children and their families.
Despite the conviction being quashed, his prior convictions for indecency and possession of indecent images of children remain firmly in place.
Back in April 2010, Main’s disturbing behavior led to his imprisonment.
The 27-year-old was jailed for two years after being caught loitering near public toilets in Aberdeen, an area he was explicitly banned from under a court order.
Witnesses working in various shops across Aberdeen reported that Main was acting in a manner described as “strange,” raising suspicions among staff.
Police detained him at his city centre residence, located at 42 King’s Crescent, where they discovered he possessed a mobile phone equipped with camera and video functions, further fueling concerns about his intentions.
It was revealed during proceedings at the High Court in Edinburgh that Main had a long history of indecency offenses.
His criminal record includes a conviction for possessing indecent images of children, and he had previously served time for an indecency-related crime.
Main’s criminal activities also involved filming children at multiple locations across the north and north-east of Scotland, including Aden Country Park in Mintlaw, Parkdean Caravan Park near Nairn, and even at his own residence.
Police investigations uncovered a collection of homemade videos stored at his former home in Pitfour Court, Peterhead, along with children’s toys and clothing, which raised serious concerns about his ongoing interest in young children.
In 2005, Main appeared before Peterhead Sheriff Court, where he admitted to filming minors at various sites, further illustrating his disturbing pattern of behavior.
The then-procurator fiscal, Sandy Hutchison, expressed fears that Main exhibited a “peculiar interest in young children,” prompting severe legal action.
As a result, he was sentenced to an extended three-year jail term.
Further restrictions were placed on Main in 2008 when the chief constable of Grampian Police obtained an interim Sexual Offences Prevention Order (Sopo) against him in civil proceedings.
This order prohibited him from possessing or using any camera equipment capable of taking photographs.
A full Sopo was later issued in May of the following year, which explicitly barred him from loitering near public toilets, among other restrictions.
Despite these measures, Main was found to have violated the order earlier this year, leading to his arrest and subsequent sentencing.
During the hearing, High Court judge Lord Brodie emphasized the seriousness of breaching court orders, stating, “What you pleaded guilty to is breaching a court order and that must be taken seriously.” Main was sentenced to an additional two years in prison and was ordered to remain under supervision for a further 12 months.
Advocate depute Alison Di Rollo detailed that Main was arrested on September 3 of the previous year, after being observed engaging in suspicious behavior at various locations in Aberdeen.
Specifically, in January 2009, Main was seen twice at a Tesco store in the Danestone area.
On the first occasion, he was observed loitering in and around the first-floor gents’ toilets, including disabled facilities, and on the ground floor.
Security staff monitoring the CCTV footage described his behavior as “strange,” with one officer noting it appeared as if he was waiting for someone or simply killing time.
During his second visit, he entered the toilets immediately after a young boy, with an older man following him in.
The boy left after approximately 30 seconds, raising further concerns about Main’s intentions.
Additional evidence showed that Main had loitered outside a gents’ toilet at John Lewis on George Street in Aberdeen.
A security officer described him as “hanging around for no apparent reason,” and his behavior was deemed “really odd.” Police also found evidence that he had loitered at a public toilet in Aberdeen, with details of these incidents documented on his mobile phone.
These repeated instances of suspicious behavior underscore the ongoing threat posed by Main, despite the legal restrictions placed upon him.
