ROBERT NIVEN FROM DALKEITH JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In May 2002, Robert Niven, a 48-year-old former police officer from Dalkeith, was sentenced to six months in prison after being found guilty of possessing indecent images of children. The conviction followed an investigation into his activities at his residence on Oak Place, Mayfield, Dalkeith, where authorities discovered more than 100 pornographic images stored on his personal computer.

During his court appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Niven pleaded guilty to the charge of downloading a total of 113 indecent images between March and May of the previous year. The images were described as highly inappropriate and of an extremely indecent and pornographic nature, raising serious concerns about his conduct.

In his defense, Niven’s legal representative, Ewen Roy, explained that his client had retired from the Lothian and Borders Police force several years prior due to health issues. Roy attempted to provide context for Niven’s actions, suggesting that the downloads were driven by curiosity rather than malicious intent. He claimed that Niven was suffering from sexual dysfunction and depression at the time, which influenced his behavior.

Roy further argued that Niven did not have an attraction to the images and believed, incorrectly, that the children depicted had consented to their images being shared online. He stated that only a small number of the images—six or seven—were considered to be extremely hardcore. Despite these assertions, Sheriff Andrew Bell dismissed these arguments, emphasizing the severity of the offense.

Sheriff Bell pointed out that the images involved children, most of whom appeared to be pre-pubertal. Some of the images depicted children engaging in sexual acts with other children or exposing their private parts, which underscored the criminal nature of the material. The court was told that Niven had since settled into a new relationship, having started it in July of the previous year.

In addition to the prison sentence, Sheriff Bell ordered Niven to register as a sex offender and confiscated his computer as part of the court’s measures to prevent further offenses. The case highlights the ongoing concerns surrounding the possession and distribution of child exploitation material, and the serious legal consequences faced by those involved.