A north-east photographer has been placed on the sex offenders’ register after being found guilty of making child pornography.
Kevin Emslie, who worked for the Press and Journal, had been on trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court facing two charges relating to the creation and possession of indecent images of youngsters.
The 46-year-old denied the allegations against him, but yesterday he was found guilty by majority of making the illicit pictures between October 2004 and November 2015.
A not proven verdict was returned on the second charge of possessing child porn between December 2008 and November 2015.
The offence was carried out at his mother’s house on Beaconhill Road in Milltimber and at his current address on Newburgh Crescent, Bridge of Don during the 11-year period.
The court heard the two properties had been searched by the police on November 10, 2015.
His room at his mother’s address was locked but when they searched Newburgh Crescent they found a computer tower, a memory card for a camera and the keys for the locked room.
The court heard a total of 156 indecent images were found on both computers, including 14 graphic photographs of boys and girls – aged between five and 13 – being abused by adults.
Throughout the trial Emslie’s defence advocate David Moggach argued the Crown had not proved he was responsible for the images being on the computers found at the addresses.
He said neither were password protected meaning anyone could access them.
He added that the homes at Beaconhill Road had frequent visitors including Emslie’s sister and a lodger.
Emslie, who has no previous convictions, will appear in court again for sentencing on April 24 after a social work report has been prepared.
Last night editor-in-chief of Aberdeen Journals, Damian Bates, said: “Kevin was suspended from his role at the Press and Journal as soon as these charges came to light.
“Following today’s conviction for a very serious offence we will now consider the appropriate next steps and deal with the matter swiftly and internally.”
