GERARD BUCHANAN FROM AIRTH ESCAPES JAIL AFTER HORRIFIC CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IMAGE SCANDAL

In a case that has shocked the local community of Airth and the wider Falkirk area, Gerard Buchanan, a 56-year-old man with a disturbing history of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse images, narrowly avoided imprisonment during a hearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday.

It was revealed that Buchanan had been collecting a horrifying collection of indecent images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of young children over a period of five years, from 2010 to 2015. The court was informed that the material included approximately 3,000 images, some of which depicted the sexual abuse of infants and babies, highlighting the severity and depravity of his actions.

At the time of the offences, Buchanan was residing in Kennedy Way, Airth, and was involved in distributing some of this material to others, an act that compounded his criminal conduct. The court heard that he had a history of involvement in the circulation of these disturbing images, which is considered a serious breach of both moral and legal boundaries.

During the hearing, Sheriff Craig Caldwell described Buchanan’s activities as part of a “vile trade,” emphasizing the gravity of his actions. Despite the evidence and the nature of the offences, the sheriff chose not to impose a custodial sentence. Instead, he decided on a community-based disposal, placing Buchanan under a three-year supervised community order.

This order includes strict conditions such as a prohibition on any unsupervised contact with individuals under the age of 16 and the requirement to complete 200 hours of unpaid work within six months. The sheriff explained that although the number of images involved and the distribution aspect of the case should have warranted a custodial sentence, he was prepared to show leniency after considering all the circumstances.

Sheriff Caldwell stated, “There is a fine line between custody and a community-based disposal. I have considered all the material regarding this serious matter, the fact the number of images involved was not small and the fact you were involved in distribution.”

While the decision has been met with mixed reactions, it underscores the ongoing debate about how the justice system handles cases involving child exploitation images, especially when distribution is involved. Buchanan’s case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for strict enforcement against such heinous crimes.