PAUL BROWNLEE FROM DUNDEE AND GALASHIELS ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY DISCOVERY

In a recent case that has drawn significant attention, Paul Brownlee, a well-known radio personality with ties to Dundee and Galashiels, has been spared imprisonment despite being found in possession of a substantial collection of indecent images of children. The incident, which unfolded in early 2020, highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding child exploitation and the importance of law enforcement vigilance.

Brownlee, who has made a name for himself across various Scottish radio stations including Wave 102 in Dundee, Radio Forth in Edinburgh, and Borders Radio, was discovered to have a troubling stash of over 600 child abuse images stored on his personal computer. His notoriety extends beyond his radio career, as he has also been seen hosting events alongside celebrities such as the Cheeky Girls, making him a familiar face to many listeners and event-goers.

The legal proceedings began after police received a tip-off suggesting that indecent images of children might be stored on devices at Brownlee’s residence. Acting swiftly, officers raided his home in January of the previous year. At the time, Brownlee was residing with his mother in Galashiels, having moved there from Dundee, and was accompanied by his partner and her child. The police search resulted in the seizure of his laptop, which was subsequently handed over to the cybercrime unit for analysis.

During the examination, authorities uncovered a disturbing collection of 663 indecent images of children, categorized into different levels of severity: 16 images classified as Category A, 30 as Category B, and a staggering 617 as Category C. These images were deemed inaccessible at the time of discovery, but their presence was enough to warrant serious legal action. Brownlee later admitted to creating these indecent images over a period spanning from January 2018 to January 2019.

At a hearing held at Dundee Sheriff Court, Sheriff Lorna Drummond addressed the case, emphasizing that Brownlee was a first-time offender. She noted that the number of images, while disturbing, was in the hundreds rather than thousands, which influenced her decision to avoid a custodial sentence. Instead, she sentenced Brownlee to a community payback order, which includes 200 hours of unpaid work and a two-year period on the sexual offenders’ register. The sheriff also made it clear that this sentence was a direct alternative to jail time, reflecting her assessment of the case’s circumstances and the defendant’s background.