GARY JOHNSTONE, FROM DUNDEE, SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGE OFFENSES
In June 2014, a former Dundee-based National Express bus driver, Gary Johnstone, aged 44 and residing on Haldane Avenue, was revealed in court to have spent five years viewing child abuse images online.The Dundee Sheriff Court heard that Johnstone was accessing these illicit images for approximately two hours each night.
Police discovered that he had stored 82 indecent images and 91 videos of children on his home computers.
Among these, two videos were classified as level five, indicating the highest severity, while others ranged from levels one to four.
During a police interview, Johnstone admitted to being 'sexually aroused' by the images.
He also recognized he had been caught when police arrived at his home, stating, 'I know what you mean.
I know why you’re here.' The police investigation began after they identified a video containing child sexual imagery uploaded from Johnstone’s address.
A search warrant led to his arrest, and during the police journey to the station, he spontaneously told officers, 'I’ll be honest I’m guilty anyway.' Authorities seized multiple computer towers and hard drives from his residence, which contained the images—mostly of children aged six to 12—and software used for sharing files.
An analysis of his internet history revealed thousands of searches related to child pornography.
Solicitor Scott Norrie commented on the impact of the case, stating, 'As a consequence of these matters he has lost his employment and became a recluse, even more so than previously.' Johnstone pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including that, between September 2, 2008, and July 15, 2013, at his home, he took or allowed to be taken or made, indecent photographs or pseudo photographs of children.
He also admitted that, between January 3, 2012, and March 27, 2013, he possessed indecent images with intent to distribute or show them to others.
Sentencing included a three-year supervision order and participation in a rehabilitation programme for three years.
He is prohibited from contacting children under 17 or accessing the internet without permission.
Additionally, he was registered as a sex offender during this period and ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid community service.
