LEWIS LESLIE FROM WESTHILL JAILED FOR OBSCENE CHILD ABUSE IMAGES
| Red Rose Database
Westhill Child Sexual Abuser
In December 2017, a man from Westhill named Lewis Leslie was sentenced to prison after authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of indecent images depicting child abuse. Leslie, aged 23 at the time, was found to possess over 3,000 such images on both his laptop and mobile phone, with a significant number classified as the most severe Category A images, indicating the highest level of depravity.
According to court reports, police executed a search warrant at Leslie’s residence, located at Burnland Place in Westhill, early in the morning at 7:15 am on February 8. During the subsequent police interview, Leslie claimed that he had downloaded the images and videos by accident. However, as the interview progressed, he made troubling admissions, suggesting that he had been going through a phase where he enjoyed viewing such material. Leslie expressed feelings of sickness at the thought of enjoying the images, indicating a level of remorse or internal conflict.
Leslie had previously pleaded guilty to charges related to possessing and permitting the taking of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, with the offenses spanning from November 9, 2015, up until the date of his arrest in February 2017. His address was formally recorded in court documents as Burnland Place, Westhill.
During the court proceedings, Leslie’s solicitor, Iain Hingston, described his client as someone who appeared to be quite naive and socially isolated. Hingston explained that Leslie had few friends and rarely left his home, with his primary motivation for getting out of bed being his work commitments. The solicitor also highlighted Leslie’s struggles with depression and social skills, suggesting that these factors contributed to his circumstances. Hingston acknowledged the seriousness of the charges but emphasized that Leslie had accepted responsibility from the outset.
Hingston further explained that Leslie’s initial involvement with online chat rooms on his phone was a common pathway into this type of offending, indicating that such behavior often begins in virtual spaces. The court was informed that Leslie’s actions were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern linked to his online activity.
In sentencing, Sheriff William Summers emphasized that possessing indecent images of children is a crime that causes real harm and is not victimless. The sheriff pointed out that some of the images found on Leslie’s devices depicted extremely disturbing and depraved abuse involving very young children. As a result, Leslie was sentenced to a total of 21 months in prison, with an additional five years of supervision upon release. Furthermore, Leslie will be required to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, reflecting the gravity of his offenses and the ongoing risk to the community.
According to court reports, police executed a search warrant at Leslie’s residence, located at Burnland Place in Westhill, early in the morning at 7:15 am on February 8. During the subsequent police interview, Leslie claimed that he had downloaded the images and videos by accident. However, as the interview progressed, he made troubling admissions, suggesting that he had been going through a phase where he enjoyed viewing such material. Leslie expressed feelings of sickness at the thought of enjoying the images, indicating a level of remorse or internal conflict.
Leslie had previously pleaded guilty to charges related to possessing and permitting the taking of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children, with the offenses spanning from November 9, 2015, up until the date of his arrest in February 2017. His address was formally recorded in court documents as Burnland Place, Westhill.
During the court proceedings, Leslie’s solicitor, Iain Hingston, described his client as someone who appeared to be quite naive and socially isolated. Hingston explained that Leslie had few friends and rarely left his home, with his primary motivation for getting out of bed being his work commitments. The solicitor also highlighted Leslie’s struggles with depression and social skills, suggesting that these factors contributed to his circumstances. Hingston acknowledged the seriousness of the charges but emphasized that Leslie had accepted responsibility from the outset.
Hingston further explained that Leslie’s initial involvement with online chat rooms on his phone was a common pathway into this type of offending, indicating that such behavior often begins in virtual spaces. The court was informed that Leslie’s actions were not isolated incidents but part of a pattern linked to his online activity.
In sentencing, Sheriff William Summers emphasized that possessing indecent images of children is a crime that causes real harm and is not victimless. The sheriff pointed out that some of the images found on Leslie’s devices depicted extremely disturbing and depraved abuse involving very young children. As a result, Leslie was sentenced to a total of 21 months in prison, with an additional five years of supervision upon release. Furthermore, Leslie will be required to register as a sex offender for a period of ten years, reflecting the gravity of his offenses and the ongoing risk to the community.