ABERDEEN MAN BARRY BELL CAUGHT WITH NEARLY 5,000 INDECENT CHILD IMAGES WHILE IN KOREA
In March 2019, Barry McKenzie Bell, a man from the north-east of Scotland, was convicted after being found in possession of nearly 5,000 indecent images of children.The discovery occurred during police raids at his residence, where a computer tower and three external hard drives were seized.
Authorities uncovered a total of 4,890 images and six videos, taken between August 7, 2015, and May 23, 2018, at a property in Rona Place, Aberdeen.
Bell, 52 years old and residing on Midstocket Road, admitted to possessing these files, which varied in severity, as well as taking or permitting explicit photographs during the same period.
The images involved boys and girls aged between five and 15, with nearly 900 pictures on one device depicting girls aged five to seven.
While most of the material was classified as Category C, indicating the lowest level of severity, there were 70 images and videos categorized as Category A, the most severe.
During the court hearing, prosecutor Sally McAuley explained that the police raid resulted from the discovery of these illegal files on Bell’s devices.
Defence lawyer Stuart Murray stated that Bell developed his urges and a problematic drinking habit while living in Korea — the country was not specified as North or South — for nine years.
Murray added that Bell struggled with feelings of isolation, and his attraction to young children became more apparent following the breakup from his partner.
Sheriff Gary Aitken addressed Bell directly, emphasizing the seriousness of his offenses and the impact on victims.
He remarked, “It may or may not be apparent but these are real children who are suffering for your sexual gratification, you should not lose sight of that.” The sheriff praised Bell for avoiding imprisonment but warned that any reoffending would result in jail time.
As part of his sentence, Bell was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work to acknowledge the “grave hurt” caused to the victims.
He was also placed under supervision for three years and mandated to participate in the 'Moving Forward, Making Changes' rehabilitation program.
Bell was previously placed on the sex offenders register during a prior hearing.
