RODERICK MACMASTER FROM KINLOCH RANNOCH SENTENCED IN PERTH FOR CHILD INDECENT IMAGE OFFENSES

In April 2011, a man from Kinloch Rannoch named Roderick MacMaster was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of possessing and creating indecent images of children. The case was heard at Perth Sheriff Court, where the court was informed that MacMaster had persistently denied any involvement in the offences despite the evidence presented against him.

MacMaster, aged 45, faced charges related to the possession of indecent photographs of children, as well as the taking or permitting the taking of such images. The incidents in question occurred between October 17 and October 28, 2009. The court heard that the images found on his computer were classified as level one, indicating the lowest severity of indecency according to the assessment standards.

During the two-day trial, Sheriff Michael Fletcher presided over the proceedings. MacMaster claimed that his computer was not password protected and insisted that he was not responsible for the images that appeared on his device. He maintained that he had no knowledge of how the images came to be stored on his computer, asserting that he was innocent of the charges.

Despite his claims, the court found him guilty of the offences. The prosecution argued that MacMaster's actions constituted serious criminal conduct, and the evidence was sufficient to establish his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The court also noted that MacMaster's denial of involvement was a significant factor in the sentencing decision.

Representing MacMaster, solicitor David Holmes acknowledged his client’s guilty verdict but emphasized that MacMaster accepted the court’s findings. Holmes highlighted that MacMaster’s criminal record was otherwise clean, with no prior history of similar offences, and requested that the court consider a non-custodial sentence, such as a community-based order.

However, Sheriff Fletcher dismissed this request, emphasizing the gravity of the offences and the importance of public protection. The sheriff stated, “You do not accept that you committed these offences and that raises the issue of public protection very forcefully.” He mentioned the possibility of a probation order with conditions, including attendance at the Tay Project, which is designed to rehabilitate individuals convicted of sexual offences. Nevertheless, the sheriff expressed doubt about the effectiveness of such measures given MacMaster’s denial of guilt.

Ultimately, Sheriff Fletcher sentenced MacMaster to six months in prison. Additionally, he ordered that MacMaster be placed on the sex offenders register for the next seven years, a standard requirement following convictions of this nature. The sentence reflects the court’s view of the seriousness of the offences and the need to safeguard the community from potential harm.