DAVID REANY OF ARBROATH ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD IMAGE SCANDAL IN TAYSIDE

In a case that has shocked the community of Arbroath and the wider Tayside region, 20-year-old David Reany was found in possession of a significant collection of indecent images of children, yet he was spared immediate imprisonment. The incident, which came to light in February 2013, involved police uncovering nearly 1,000 explicit images on Reany’s personal computer, raising serious concerns about online safety and child protection.

Reany, a factory worker residing on Lethnot Road in Arbroath, was initially investigated after authorities received reports of inappropriate online conversations with teenage girls aged 15 and 17. These conversations prompted a police inquiry, culminating in a search warrant executed on February 15, 2013. During the search, officers discovered a laptop and two electronic notebooks containing a total of 954 live images classified from levels one to four on the Crown’s scale of severity. Additionally, a further 11,435 images were found, which, while not deemed indecent, were considered concerning by investigators.

Reany was formally charged with possession of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, with the allegations covering the period from February 12 to 15 of the previous year. The court proceedings revealed that Reany, who lives at home with his parents, was under police surveillance following the discovery of these images and the online conversations. The investigation was initiated after officers traced the inappropriate communications to him, leading to the search and subsequent findings.

During the court hearing, Sheriff Peter Paterson acknowledged the complexity of the case, describing it as “extremely difficult to deal with.” Despite the gravity of the evidence, Reany’s legal team argued for a community-based disposal rather than jail time, emphasizing his young age and stable family background. His solicitor, Ian Flynn, highlighted that Reany had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and that the images were for personal use. Flynn also pointed out that Reany’s family was present in court to support him and that a social work report recommended a three-year community payback order with supervision.

The court also ordered Reany to be placed on the sex offenders register for three years. As part of his sentence, he is prohibited from accessing the internet or having unsupervised contact with children under 17 without prior approval from his supervising officer. A review of his progress is scheduled for August 20, 2013.

In delivering his judgment, Sheriff Paterson expressed his difficulty in making a decision but ultimately decided that the mitigating factors warranted a community-based sentence. He stated, “There are sufficient mitigating factors in this case to allow me to impose a community-based disposal for a period of three years. This is a direct alternative to custody. I think society is better served with you receiving treatment.”

Reany is expected to return to court for a progress review in three months, and the case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing issues surrounding online child exploitation and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting vulnerable minors.