FINLAY NICOLL FROM DUNBLANE ADMITS TO CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES IN STIRLING

In August 2012, a man from Dunblane, identified as Finlay Nicoll, faced serious allegations related to the possession and download of child abuse images. The case unfolded in Stirling Sheriff Court, revealing a troubling pattern of behavior that was linked to a significant personal upheaval in Nicoll's life.

According to court reports, Nicoll, aged 44, was a resident of Braemar Avenue in Dunblane. His descent into this criminal activity was reportedly triggered by a severe road accident that resulted in the loss of his employment and left him confined to his home. As a consequence of his mobility issues, Nicoll became increasingly isolated, spending extensive hours in front of his computer. It was during this period that he developed an obsession with downloading illicit images, a habit that would eventually lead to his arrest.

Authorities from Central Scotland Police acted on intelligence that indicated Nicoll was involved in the illegal downloading of child abuse material. They executed a search at his residence in Dunblane, an area known for its more affluent residents. During the investigation, police discovered a substantial collection of digital content on Nicoll’s desktop computer. The files included a total of 5,818 images and videos, with 34 of these classified as level four — the second most severe category of child pornography, indicating highly disturbing content.

Prosecutor Mark Keane outlined the case, stating that Nicoll, who worked in the IT sector, was arrested at his home following the police’s findings. Nicoll cooperated with officers and identified his computer as the source of the illicit material. The court heard that between September 2, 2010, and November 10, 2011, Nicoll had downloaded and possessed these illegal images.

During the court proceedings, Nicoll’s defense lawyer, Gordon Addison, emphasized that his client did not have an attraction to children. Instead, Addison explained that Nicoll’s searches had evolved from adult pornography to more explicit images involving minors under 16, which he described as an obsession rather than a sexual preference. Addison highlighted Nicoll’s personal struggles, including mobility problems caused by the accident, depression, and suicidal thoughts. He noted that Nicoll had been off work for a significant period and was acting as a house-husband during this time.

Furthermore, Addison stated that Nicoll’s actions were driven by addiction rather than predatory intent. He expressed remorse on behalf of his client and mentioned that Nicoll had the full support of his wife. The lawyer also pointed out that Nicoll had sought help for his issues and that a social work report indicated he posed a low risk of re-offending.

As part of his sentence, Nicoll was placed under supervision for three years. During this period, he is required to participate in a sex offenders’ groupwork program and will remain on the sex offenders register for the same duration. Additionally, he was prohibited from accessing the Internet for any purpose other than work-related activities during this time.

Sheriff William Gilchrist addressed Nicoll directly, acknowledging the disturbing nature of some of the images found. He warned that had Nicoll shared the material or downloaded a greater number of high-level images, he would have faced a custodial sentence. The court’s decision reflected the seriousness of the offense, but also considered Nicoll’s remorse and the low risk of re-offending.