ROY BRUCE FROM STONEHAVEN ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL IN ABERDEEN AND PORTLETHEN

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Stonehaven and the surrounding areas, Roy Bruce, a man with a complex history, narrowly avoided imprisonment after being found guilty of possessing and downloading a significant number of child sexual abuse images. The incident came to light during a routine inspection of his internet activity at his place of employment, which ultimately led to a series of serious revelations.

According to reports from Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Bruce, aged 54, was employed as a crew health and safety executive manager at the chemical manufacturing firm Roemex Ltd, located at Badentoy Crescent in Portlethen. The company’s management, upon discovering irregularities in his internet usage, initiated an internal investigation. This probe uncovered that over a span of more than a decade, from September 14, 2000, to March 2, 2012, Bruce had downloaded over 2,500 indecent images of children, predominantly young girls aged between four and twelve. These images were accessed using work-related equipment, raising serious concerns about his conduct during his employment.

Following the discovery, the management at Roemex Ltd took immediate action. Bruce’s employment was terminated without delay, and the company promptly contacted law enforcement authorities to handle the matter further. At the time of the court proceedings, Bruce was identified as unemployed, having left his position at Roemex after the incident. It is also noted that he had a lengthy career in the health and safety industry, working for various companies over more than ten years. Interestingly, it is believed that Bruce initially began his working life as a police officer, having served with the Grampian police force after leaving school, although this part of his background was not the focus of the court case.

During the court hearing, Bruce, who resided at 27 New Street in Stonehaven, admitted to downloading the images. His confession detailed that the images were mostly of young girls and that the illegal activity took place both at his home and at his workplace in Portlethen. The court was informed that the images were stored on his personal and work devices, highlighting the extent of his involvement in the illegal activity.

Sheriff Peter Hammond addressed the court, acknowledging the seriousness of the crime but also noting that the volume of images, while disturbing, was relatively small compared to other cases he had presided over. The sheriff emphasized that the prolonged period over which the images were downloaded did not diminish the severity of the offense but provided context for the court’s sentencing decision.

In sentencing, Sheriff Hammond ordered Bruce to complete more than 200 hours of community service over the course of eight months. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register for a period of three years, marking a significant legal consequence for his actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation and the importance of vigilance in monitoring internet activity, even among those with a background in law enforcement and safety.