ROBERT HOLMES FROM ABERFELDY CAUGHT WITH INDECENT IMAGES OF YOUNG GIRLS IN HIGHLAND PERTHSHIRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community of Aberfeldy and the wider Highland Perthshire area, Robert Holmes, a 45-year-old man with a troubling history, has been found in possession of indecent photographs depicting young girls aged between 10 and 14. The incident unfolded after police officers conducted an unannounced visit to Holmes's residence, East Lodge, situated on the Bolfracks Estate in Aberfeldy, on Wednesday, July 6 of this year.

During the police search, officers observed a laptop computer and a Nokia mobile phone openly visible at Holmes's home. The suspect, who is currently held at Perth, also produced a recently purchased mobile device, which he claimed was capable of accessing the internet. Holmes voluntarily consented to the search of his electronic devices, allowing investigators to examine their contents. The search revealed concerning terms and images, prompting further investigation.

Holmes then voluntarily handed over a USB flash drive, which contained the illicit images. Forensic analysis of the USB drive confirmed the presence of three images classified as Category C, showing young girls under the age of 16 in explicit poses. These images had been created on May 16, 2016, and their possession directly contravened the terms of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order previously imposed on Holmes. This order, which was part of his legal restrictions, included a lifetime ban from working with children and a prohibition against possessing or downloading images of minors under 16.

The police arrested Holmes following the discovery, and he was taken to Perth Police Station for further questioning. The forensic examination of the USB drive uncovered the three Category C images, which depicted naked young girls. Holmes admitted to possessing these photographs at his residence between May 16 and July 6, 2016, and acknowledged downloading them during that period, specifically between May 16 and July 4. He also pleaded guilty to breaching the terms of his Sexual Offences Prevention Order by being in possession of the USB drive at East Lodge on July 6.

Holmes's case is scheduled for sentencing on November 16, after a comprehensive background report and risk assessment are prepared. The court's decision will determine the severity of his punishment and any additional restrictions or supervision he may face.

It is noteworthy that Holmes has a prior conviction dating back to March 2007, when he was jailed for 12 months at Leeds Crown Court for possessing indecent images of children. At that time, he was also banned for life from working with minors and was ordered not to possess or download any images of children under 16. His previous offense involved hoarding approximately 4,000 indecent images, some of which depicted very young children, including toddlers, engaged in sexual acts, sadomasochism, and bondage. Police had seized his laptop from his parents' home in Summerbridge Crescent, Gomersal, on November 8 of the previous year.

Holmes, then aged 36, had attempted to secure employment as a gardener at a primary school, raising concerns about his suitability. During the investigation, police found that he had downloaded numerous images from the internet, with some categorized as the most serious level of indecency. Despite his claims of never distributing the images and having no access to his computer by others, Holmes's actions and prior record paint a troubling picture of his behavior and risk to children. His social isolation, lack of social skills, and chronic epilepsy were noted in pre-sentence reports, which described him as emotionally shallow and slow intellectually. The judge, Recorder Bernard Gateshill, emphasized Holmes's failure to recognize the gravity of his offenses and imposed strict restrictions, including a lifelong Sexual Offences Prevention Order, a ten-year registration requirement, and a ban from working with minors under 16.