EUAN AITKEN FROM ALLOA SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CRIME INVOLVING 700 CHILD VICTIMS

In August 2005, a disturbing case involving internet-based child exploitation came to light, culminating in the sentencing of Euan Aitken, a resident of Alloa. The case revealed a horrifying collection of child abuse material that Aitken had amassed and shared online, which experts described as among the most heinous they had encountered.

Authorities uncovered that Aitken, aged 29 and living at Craigview, Sauchie, Clackmannanshire, had stored a vast array of illicit content on his computer. His collection included approximately 157 video files and around 800 images depicting the brutal abuse of children. Some of these videos contained voice recordings capturing the screams of the victims, adding a deeply disturbing dimension to the material.

The investigation was initiated by the Metropolitan Internet Crime Unit, which traced Aitken’s online activities. They identified his involvement through digital footprints and subsequently shared this information with the Central Scotland police’s computer crime unit. A raid was swiftly conducted at his residence in Alloa, leading to the seizure of his computer and digital storage devices.

During questioning, Aitken admitted to possessing the illicit images, stating, “Aye. I’ve got other stuff as well. I’ve got everything – just curiosity.” When asked if he had images depicting the abuse of children, he confirmed his possession of such material. The files were stored in shared folders on his computer, facilitating his ability to distribute the content via internet file-sharing programs, thus giving access to a global audience of offenders.

Initially, Aitken appeared in Alloa Sheriff Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charges. However, due to the maximum sentence of five years available in that court, his case was transferred to the High Court in Edinburgh for sentencing. The prosecution highlighted the severity of his crimes, emphasizing the profound harm inflicted on the victims.

During the proceedings, his defense lawyer, John Scott, argued that Aitken’s actions stemmed from “a deep ignorance” of the consequences of his behavior. He suggested that Aitken was unlikely to return to his community in Alloa, implying some level of remorse or recognition of the gravity of his actions.

Nevertheless, Lord Hardie, presiding over the case, delivered a stern rebuke. He stated, “That is but nothing compared to the 700 abused children and their lives. It is impossible for anyone to assess the physical and psychological damage caused to the large number of young victims.” The judge emphasized the widespread impact of Aitken’s actions, noting that by his conduct, he facilitated access to child pornography for millions of internet users worldwide.

Ultimately, Euan Aitken was sentenced to six years in prison. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register and will be subject to two years of supervised release following his incarceration. Throughout the proceedings, Aitken showed no visible emotion as he was led away from the dock to begin his sentence, a stark reminder of the seriousness of his crimes and their devastating consequences.