STUART MACFARLANE FROM EAGLESHAM AND GLASGOW ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL
| Red Rose Database
Glasgow Eaglesham Child Sexual Abuser
In a highly controversial case that has sparked outrage across Scotland, former prosecutor Stuart MacFarlane, aged 45 and residing in Mount Florida, Glasgow, was recently sentenced after being found in possession of an extensive collection of child abuse images. The incident unfolded in December 2012 when police executed a search warrant at MacFarlane’s former family residence in Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire, uncovering a disturbing cache of nearly 15,000 illicit images and 275 videos stored on electronic devices kept in a shed known locally as ‘Dad’s Den’.
Authorities seized two laptops and an external hard drive from the shed, which was marked with a plaque bearing the name ‘Dad’s Den’. The forensic analysis of these devices revealed the horrifying extent of MacFarlane’s activities, with images depicting children as young as three years old, some engaged in sexual acts with adults, and others involving animals. The images were believed to have been downloaded between March and December of the previous year.
MacFarlane, who previously served as a deputy procurator fiscal, had resigned from his position in 2005 following allegations of being caught with a prostitute. The case was subsequently dropped after he claimed to have suffered mental health issues stemming from his service as a reservist in Iraq. More recently, he had been working as a contractor in Afghanistan.
During the court proceedings at Paisley Sheriff Court, Sheriff James Spy acknowledged the gravity of the offense and initially indicated that custody might be appropriate. However, in a surprising turn, the sheriff opted for a community-based sentence, citing legal constraints that prevented imprisonment. MacFarlane was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and to be supervised by social workers for a period of three years. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register for three years.
In a ruling that has drawn widespread criticism, Sheriff Spy stated that MacFarlane must maintain a “readable internet history” on his computer, which police and social workers could review to ensure compliance with the conditions. The decision to avoid jail has been met with strong disapproval from child protection advocates and opposition politicians. Scottish Tory chief whip John Lamont expressed his concern, stating, “It seems unusual for such a serious offence not to be met with jail time. It doesn’t send a very strong message out on child pornography.”
Anne Houston, chief executive of the charity Children 1st, emphasized the importance of sending a clear message to victims of abuse, asserting, “We have to give a clear message to children who have been abused that reassures them that what they’ve suffered is absolutely unacceptable.” The case has reignited debates over sentencing policies for crimes involving child exploitation and the adequacy of current legal measures to deter such offenses.
Authorities seized two laptops and an external hard drive from the shed, which was marked with a plaque bearing the name ‘Dad’s Den’. The forensic analysis of these devices revealed the horrifying extent of MacFarlane’s activities, with images depicting children as young as three years old, some engaged in sexual acts with adults, and others involving animals. The images were believed to have been downloaded between March and December of the previous year.
MacFarlane, who previously served as a deputy procurator fiscal, had resigned from his position in 2005 following allegations of being caught with a prostitute. The case was subsequently dropped after he claimed to have suffered mental health issues stemming from his service as a reservist in Iraq. More recently, he had been working as a contractor in Afghanistan.
During the court proceedings at Paisley Sheriff Court, Sheriff James Spy acknowledged the gravity of the offense and initially indicated that custody might be appropriate. However, in a surprising turn, the sheriff opted for a community-based sentence, citing legal constraints that prevented imprisonment. MacFarlane was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and to be supervised by social workers for a period of three years. Additionally, he was placed on the sex offenders register for three years.
In a ruling that has drawn widespread criticism, Sheriff Spy stated that MacFarlane must maintain a “readable internet history” on his computer, which police and social workers could review to ensure compliance with the conditions. The decision to avoid jail has been met with strong disapproval from child protection advocates and opposition politicians. Scottish Tory chief whip John Lamont expressed his concern, stating, “It seems unusual for such a serious offence not to be met with jail time. It doesn’t send a very strong message out on child pornography.”
Anne Houston, chief executive of the charity Children 1st, emphasized the importance of sending a clear message to victims of abuse, asserting, “We have to give a clear message to children who have been abused that reassures them that what they’ve suffered is absolutely unacceptable.” The case has reignited debates over sentencing policies for crimes involving child exploitation and the adequacy of current legal measures to deter such offenses.