GORDON MILNE SHOCKING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY SCANDAL IN BLAIRGOWRIE, FORFAR, AND RAIT

In October 2014, a disturbing case involving Gordon Milne, a former teacher from the towns of Blairgowrie, Forfar, and Rait, came to light, revealing a series of serious criminal offenses related to child exploitation and indecency. Milne, who was once a respected computing and IT instructor, was found guilty of setting up a hidden camera in a bathroom to secretly record a teenage girl in the shower, an act that has caused widespread outrage and concern within the community.

His criminal activities were uncovered after police received a tip-off regarding his online behavior. Investigators discovered that Milne, then 33 years old and residing in Rait, Blairgowrie, had been viewing and possessing a large collection of indecent images of children. The police raid on his residence in Forfar, where he was then living, revealed a shocking stash of over 1,500 such images, along with 13 videos, including footage of a teenage girl being recorded in a bathroom during a rock climbing trip in Derbyshire.

The police action was initiated in January 2013 when authorities obtained a warrant to search Milne’s home in Forfar’s South Street. During the search, officers seized two laptops and a mobile phone. The investigation revealed that Milne had set up a covert camera in a communal bathroom, capturing footage of a girl who was unaware she was being filmed. The victim was identified by Milne’s wife, who recognized the girl as a pupil at Forfar Academy, where Milne was employed as a teacher.

Further examination of the electronic devices confirmed the presence of the illicit material, including a video of the girl in the shower. The police also recovered additional electronic equipment, including a MacBook laptop, which Milne was found to possess during the search at a hotel in Carnoustie, where he was attending a teaching conference. Milne’s arrest was swift, and he was taken into custody at the hotel, where he was detained and later interviewed by detectives, who reported that he gave a 'no comment' response.

Milne’s actions did not go unnoticed for long. The evidence collected led to his being charged with multiple offenses, including possessing indecent images of children and taking or making such images. The total number of images recovered from his devices was 1,535, along with 13 videos. The court proceedings revealed that Milne’s criminal conduct spanned from November 2011 to January 2013.

In a court appearance at Dundee Sheriff Court, Milne pleaded guilty to the charges. The prosecution, led by Depute Fiscal Keith Robertson, described how Milne’s activities included setting up a hidden camera during a rock climbing trip to film a teenage girl in the bathroom. The court was told that the girl was unaware she was being recorded, and there was no evidence to suggest that Milne had distributed the images or videos.

Milne’s defense argued that his curiosity was sparked after hearing about a former teacher who was jailed for possessing child pornography, claiming that Milne’s actions were driven by a misguided sense of professional curiosity. The defense also emphasized that Milne had expressed remorse and offered a grovelling apology to the victim and those affected.

Despite these pleas, the court sentenced Milne to 18 months in prison, with an additional year on license upon his release. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years. The judge described Milne’s conduct as 'heartbreaking' and emphasized the severity of his breach of trust as an educator. Following his conviction, Milne was dismissed from his position with Angus Council, and the General Teaching Council (GTC) Scotland confirmed that a hearing was scheduled to remove him from the teaching register, a process expected to be finalized shortly after the hearing in Edinburgh.

Milne’s case has sent shockwaves through the communities of Blairgowrie, Forfar, and Rait, highlighting the dangers of hidden online activities and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding children. The case remains a stark reminder of the devastating impact of such crimes and the ongoing need for robust measures to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation and abuse.