ALLEN SMITH FROM DUNDEE ESCAPES JAIL DESPITE CHILD ABUSE VIDEO SCANDAL
In a case that has shocked the community of Dundee, Allen Smith, a man with a troubling history of sexual offenses, has narrowly avoided imprisonment after being found in possession of highly disturbing child abuse material.The incident, which came to light in May 2017, involved police uncovering a graphic video involving a young girl, raising serious concerns about Smith's ongoing risk to the public.
According to court records, police were alerted to Smith’s activities following an anonymous tip-off that he had accessed an explicit video involving children.
Acting swiftly, authorities obtained a search warrant for his residence, which he shares with his mother and stepfather in Dundee.
During the search, officers recovered a MacBook Pro laptop and charger from the living room area.
Smith claimed ownership of the device and provided police with the password, allowing for a thorough examination.
The investigation revealed a Category A video lasting approximately one minute and 46 seconds, depicting a girl estimated to be around ten years old.
Further forensic analysis uncovered that Smith had conducted online searches for images of children, indicating a pattern of interest in such material.
Despite the disturbing nature of these findings, Smith remained silent during police interviews, choosing to give no comment in response to questions.
It was also disclosed that Smith has a prior conviction for indecent exposure to a 12-year-old girl back in 1998, when he was just 17 years old.
This previous offense, coupled with the recent discovery of child abuse images, painted a troubling picture of his criminal history.
At Dundee Sheriff Court, Smith, now 35 and residing on Buttar’s Place, pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images of children on May 18 of the previous year.
His defense solicitor, Paul Parker Smith, emphasized that his client was aware of his past conviction but insisted that he was not a habitual offender.
The court was told that Smith is a father of one and that his recent offending appeared to be de-escalating rather than escalating.
In sentencing, Sheriff Alastair Brown opted for a community-based punishment rather than jail time.
Smith was ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, undergo three years of supervision, and participate in a sex offenders groupwork program.
The sheriff also noted that there was no current indication that Smith posed an immediate threat to others, but he expressed concern about his continued use of such material.
To monitor his compliance and risk, Smith was placed on the sex offenders register for a period of three years.
These events highlight the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially when new evidence suggests potential risks.
The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for continued monitoring of offenders like Allen Smith, whose actions continue to evoke public concern in Dundee.
