ABERDEEN MAN ROBERT STEWART ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND GYM FILMING SCANDAL
In a case that has shocked the community of Aberdeen, Robert Stewart, a 35-year-old resident of Elmbank Road, narrowly avoided imprisonment after admitting to a series of serious offences involving child abuse images and covert filming of men in a local gym.During a court hearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Stewart pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the possession and distribution of indecent images of children.
The court was informed that between December 18, 2013, and March 2, 2014, Stewart downloaded a total of 11 videos depicting children in various states of undress and engaged in inappropriate acts.
These videos, which collectively lasted approximately two hours and forty minutes, were classified into different levels of explicitness, with six categorized as level two, three as level three, and two as level four, the latter being the most severe.
Furthermore, Stewart was found to have shared a video involving children on a file-sharing website from his home address during the same period.
The court also heard about a disturbing incident from 2012, when Stewart was caught on camera secretly filming the occupants of the men’s changing room at DW Sports Fitness Club located at Beach Boulevard Retail Park in Aberdeen.
The footage captured men urinating and undressing without their knowledge, and the offences occurred between August 21 and November 21 of that year.
Stewart’s solicitor, David Sutherland, addressed the court, emphasizing that his client accepted responsibility for the offences.
He claimed that the videos had been taken from Stewart’s computer by an unknown third party using a peer-to-peer network, suggesting that Stewart was not the original source of the material.
Sutherland also highlighted Stewart’s willingness to seek help voluntarily, noting that his client had engaged with support services to address his issues.
The solicitor pointed out that Stewart had received a positive report from the social work department, which recognized his remorse and efforts to reform.
In light of these factors, the court considered alternative sentencing options.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan ultimately sentenced Stewart to 200 hours of unpaid community work and placed him on the sex offenders register for three years.
Additionally, Stewart was subjected to a three-year supervision order and mandated to complete the 'Moving Forward, Making Changes' programme.
The sheriff acknowledged the gravity of the offences but also noted Stewart’s lack of previous convictions and the social work report’s impression of his genuine intent to change.
Sheriff Buchanan concluded by emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation, especially in cases involving such serious allegations, and expressed hope that Stewart’s efforts would lead to a positive change in his behaviour.
