ABERDEEN BAKERY OWNER DAVID AITKEN SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS FOR NEARLY 16,000 CHILD INDECENT IMAGES
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Aberdeen, David Aitken, the 60-year-old proprietor of Aitkens Bakery, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after being found guilty of possessing a staggering number of indecent images of children.The conviction follows a detailed investigation that uncovered the extent of his criminal activities, which spanned over several years.
According to court records, Aitken was found to have stored a total of 15,961 still images and 405 videos depicting child exploitation.
These illicit materials were discovered during a police search of his residence, which took place after authorities received intelligence about his activities.
The search was executed on November 2, 2017, following a warrant issued on October 17, after police had gathered sufficient evidence.
The investigation revealed that the offences occurred over a period from March 16, 2010, to September 11, 2017.
During the search, law enforcement officers seized various computer devices, including hard drives, which contained the incriminating material.
The police also traced Aitken to his workplace, where he was later located and questioned.
When confronted with the warrant and the evidence, Aitken reportedly began to shake and stated that he should not make any comments, indicating a recognition of the gravity of the situation.
Depute fiscal Alan Townsend provided details of the evidence during the court proceedings, explaining that the seized digital content included material categorized into severity levels A, B, and C, with Category A representing the most severe forms of abuse.
The investigation also uncovered a significant amount of documents related to Aitkens Bakery, suggesting that he maintained his criminal activities alongside his professional life.
Sheriff William Summers addressed Aitken directly, emphasizing the seriousness of the offences.
He stated, “These are very serious offences.
These are not victimless crimes,” underscoring the impact such crimes have on victims and society as a whole.
The sheriff also noted that the sentence would be deferred until the following month, during which Aitken would be subject to the notification requirements mandated by the Sexual Offences Act.
The court warned him that his guilty plea to these grave charges made a custodial sentence inevitable upon his return for sentencing.
In summary, this case highlights the disturbing reality of child exploitation crimes and the importance of law enforcement efforts to combat such offences.
The community of Aberdeen is left to grapple with the implications of this case, which underscores the ongoing need for vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable children from harm.
