GEORGE BONAR FROM BROUGHTY FERRY FACES DELAYED SENTENCE OVER CHILD ABUSE IMAGES IN DUNDEE

In December 2014, the case of George Bonar, a 78-year-old resident of Albany Road in Broughty Ferry, took a significant turn as his sentencing was postponed amid ongoing investigations into his possession of indecent images of children. Bonar, a retired company director formerly associated with Dundee-based Low and Bonar, was scheduled to learn his fate on that day, but the court was informed that crucial forensic information was unavailable due to the departure of a police cyber crime expert from the department. This absence hindered the court’s ability to proceed with the sentencing, leading to a delay until February 24 of the following year.

Authorities had uncovered a disturbing collection of digital material at Bonar’s residence, which included over 250 indecent images of children ranging from as young as four years old. Among these were 112 still images classified as “live” indecent photographs of children aged between five and fifteen, alongside 146 “live” indecent videos depicting children aged from four to sixteen. These images and videos had been obtained through online downloads from a Canadian website, which Bonar had paid to access. The police investigation revealed that Bonar had admitted to taking or permitting the creation of such indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children between July 14, 2012, and April 26 of the current year. He also acknowledged possessing these images during the same period, both at his home and elsewhere unknown.

During the court proceedings, Sheriff Alastair Brown was informed of Bonar’s background, noting that he was a retired professional with no prior criminal record. However, the sheriff ordered a psychological assessment, citing concerns raised by the social work department and the Tay Project that Bonar might pose a risk of reoffending unless his behavior was properly addressed. Additionally, the court requested further details regarding the severity of the images found on Bonar’s computer, particularly those classified as level five, which denote the most serious category of indecency.

In a related case from November 2014, Bonar was also identified as having a “fetish for spanking,” which appeared to be linked to his collection of over 250 images involving children being spanked. The police had acted on intelligence received on December 21 of the previous year, which connected Bonar to an online purchase of such material. When police officers visited his residence on April 28, they obtained his consent to examine his computer. Bonar openly admitted to having a fetish for spanking, and during the search, officers discovered a variety of indecent images of children of both sexes. The images ranged from level one, indicating the least severe, to level five, the most severe, with a total of 105 at level one and seven at level five. The videos found on his hard drives totaled over six hours, with the majority—138—classified as level five, indicating extreme indecency involving potential harm or abuse.

Further forensic analysis revealed two deleted images at level one depicting boys aged 13-14. The police also found additional videos on a separate hard drive, with some at level five, totaling 37 minutes and 31 seconds of footage. The court granted a motion for the forfeiture of the computer tower used by Bonar, emphasizing the severity of the material found. Defense solicitor Kevin Hampton explained that the high level of images was due to elements of corporal punishment, which, while disturbing, did not involve actual injury beyond what could be inflicted by an open hand. A cyber crime expert confirmed that some images classified as level four were even more severe.

Despite the disturbing nature of the evidence, Sheriff Brown considered the possibility of imprisonment but ultimately decided to grant Bonar bail, provided that he complied with certain conditions. The sheriff noted that Bonar was now subject to the sex offenders register and ordered social work and restriction of liberty reports, which were scheduled to be completed by December 23. The court’s decision reflected a cautious approach, balancing the seriousness of the offenses with the need for further assessment before final sentencing.