ANDREW WHITELAW FROM FIFE AND LOCHGELLY SENTENCED FOR MASSIVE CHILD ABUSE IMAGE HAUL IN EDINBURGH

In March 2018, Andrew Whitelaw, who has resided in Kincardine since that time, faced the consequences of his disturbing criminal activities related to child exploitation. The case, which drew significant attention, involved the discovery of an unprecedented collection of child sexual abuse images and videos, making it the largest such haul ever recovered by Fife Constabulary.

Whitelaw, aged 68 at the time of sentencing, pleaded guilty to possessing an astonishing total of 204,000 images and 3,001 video files depicting the sexual abuse of young children. These materials included some of the most extreme and disturbing content, with children being raped, bound, and subjected to acts of violence. The severity of the case underscored the grave nature of his offenses and the extensive harm inflicted upon the victims.

His criminal history was already marked by a previous conviction for child abuse, which resulted in a six-year prison sentence. Following his release in 2004, Whitelaw was subjected to strict supervision conditions, including a ban on contact with other sex offenders and restrictions on internet access at his home. Despite these measures, authorities uncovered his continued involvement in illegal activities.

On 9 February 2011, a social worker conducted an unannounced visit to Whitelaw’s residence in Lochgelly. During this inspection, the social worker discovered illicit images stored on his computers. Whitelaw had previously admitted to possessing and creating indecent images of children between November 2010 and February 2011. He also attempted to obstruct justice by trying to destroy evidence related to his offenses.

During the court proceedings, advocate depute Leanne Cross described how Whitelaw became visibly uncomfortable when asked to allow access to his bedroom for inspection. He claimed that the computer hard drive found there belonged to another sex offender and attempted to downplay the severity of its contents, stating, “It’s not pretty,” and “There’s no anything worse than that you can find.” Despite his reluctance, he eventually permitted officers into the room, where they observed the hard drive on the floor. An attempt to conceal a laptop under a duvet was noted, prompting further investigation.

Specialist e-crime officers seized the computer equipment and discs, which, upon examination, revealed a vast collection of indecent images. Additional discs and storage devices were later recovered. Whitelaw claimed that the hard drive had been given to him by a friend and that he had viewed the contents, which he described as “horrific images showing the abuse of children.”

Further police inquiries uncovered that Whitelaw had left a briefcase with a neighbor, attempting to arrange its destruction from jail. The briefcase was recovered and contained 49 discs, six hard drives, two memory cards, and a memory stick. It was also revealed that Whitelaw had contacted another neighbor, requesting him to dispose of the contents, which he refused to do.

Throughout the investigation, authorities emphasized the scale of the crime. The case involved the largest collection of child abuse images ever seized by Fife Constabulary. The images and videos depicted the abuse of children worldwide, with more than 6,000 images classified as among the most extreme, including children and babies being bound and raped. The total number of images and videos underscored the extensive and heinous nature of Whitelaw’s offenses.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, Judge Lord Bracadale addressed Whitelaw, acknowledging the seriousness of the charges and the volume of material involved. He highlighted Whitelaw’s prior conviction and ordered that he remain under supervision for an additional two years following his release. The court’s decision reflected the gravity of the crimes committed and the ongoing risk posed by the offender.