SCOTT MACLEOD SHAMES ABERDEENSHIRE AND BANFF WITH REPREHENSIBLE REVENGE PORN CRIME

A young nursery worker from Aberdeenshire has bravely spoken out about the devastating and humiliating ordeal she endured after her former boyfriend, Scott MacLeod, 33, launched a malicious campaign to ruin her reputation and career. The incident, which unfolded in the towns of Aberdeenshire and Banff, involved MacLeod sending intimate photographs and videos of his ex-girlfriend to her colleagues at her workplace, in an apparent attempt to get her dismissed and publicly humiliated.

According to court proceedings, MacLeod, who resides on Bramcote Terrace in Lumsden, pretended to be a concerned member of the public when he emailed the explicit images and footage to the nursery where his ex worked. In his message, he threatened to disclose what he called “inappropriate acts,” implying that the images depicted misconduct involving a nursery employee. Fortunately, the nursery staff recognized the malicious intent behind the email and did not fall for his deceitful tactics. MacLeod was subsequently brought before Aberdeen Sheriff Court, where he admitted to the charge of disclosing intimate pictures and videos without the consent of his former partner.

For the first time, the young woman, now 19, shared her harrowing experience. She described the incident as both “horrific” and “humiliating,” emphasizing how close she came to losing her job due to MacLeod’s actions. She also issued a stark warning to others about the dangers of “revenge porn,” stressing that such cases are not limited to celebrities or high-profile individuals but can happen to anyone, even in small communities like Aberdeenshire.

During the court hearing, fiscal depute Kirsty Martin detailed how MacLeod had sent an email to his ex-girlfriend’s workplace shortly after their relationship ended in October of the previous year. The email contained a message stating: “The attached files are what’s been going around the local area and you can clearly see the nursery uniform. Personally, I think it’s unprofessional to put the company into that bad publicity. Someone who works with children shouldn’t be doing that inappropriate acts, especially in work attire.”

He expressed concern about the potential impact on the nursery’s reputation, citing his connections with parents and his desire to prevent other children’s families from seeing the images. MacLeod warned that if the matter was not handled properly, he would escalate it further, even claiming he had sought advice from Citizens Advice. The email also included a veiled threat that he would inform other parents and guardians if the issue was not addressed.

The nursery manager, alerted by the ex-girlfriend, confirmed that the only person she had shared the images with was MacLeod himself. Police were called immediately, and while officers were present at the nursery, MacLeod made a second phone call to inquire about the consequences his ex might face, claiming he believed she had committed “gross misconduct.”

Law enforcement quickly identified MacLeod through his phone call and traced him to his workplace at an Inverurie bakery. During the investigation, police also discovered that MacLeod was in possession of a knife, raising further concerns about his conduct.

In a poignant statement, the young woman’s former partner described MacLeod as a “very cruel man” who manipulated her with a mixture of affection and punishment. She recounted how he would give her small gestures of kindness to keep her hanging on, but ultimately used her vulnerability to control and hurt her. She revealed that their relationship, which lasted nearly two years, became strained after she turned 18 and they made their relationship “official.” Her suspicions of infidelity, combined with MacLeod’s jealousy and controlling behavior, led her to end the relationship.

Following the breakup, she endured weeks of unwanted attention, persistent messages, and phone calls from MacLeod. Her worst fears materialized when he shared explicit images of her with colleagues at her nursery, an act she described as “the most hellish few weeks of my life.” She emphasized that the images were sent to him while they were still together, and he did so out of “pure cruelty.”

She expressed her gratitude that nursery staff believed her quickly and that the investigation was swift. “The investigation at my work lasted all of 10 minutes,” she said. “I had been very open with them about Scott throughout, and they knew what was going on. As soon as the police confirmed he was behind it, my work assured me it wouldn’t impact my employment. But it was still humiliating. All three of my managers saw those images. It was horrific. I’m just grateful it didn’t ruin my career.”

She condemned MacLeod’s actions as “cruel” and “disgusting,” adding that he was trying to “embarrass and upset” her deliberately. Her victim impact statement highlighted the lasting trauma she now lives with, including ongoing fear and anxiety. She described MacLeod as a “sad man” who sought to destroy her life out of spite, especially considering her youth and innocence.

At the court, MacLeod pleaded guilty to charges of disclosing intimate images and videos without consent, as well as possessing a knife. His defense lawyer, Stuart Beveridge, explained that MacLeod’s actions were motivated by a desire to “embarrass and upset” his ex-partner after their relationship ended due to infidelity. The lawyer also noted that the woman had previously contacted police over concerns about MacLeod’s mental health, which may have contributed to his behavior.

Sheriff Rhona Wark sentenced MacLeod to a fine of £500 and ordered him to stay away from his ex-girlfriend for nine months. The victim described the punishment as “disgusting,” asserting that it was a “drop in the ocean” compared to the emotional and psychological toll she had endured. She recounted the counseling she had to undergo and her ongoing fear of living in constant vigilance, always looking over her shoulder.

She concluded by emphasizing that revenge porn and similar acts are not just stories from Hollywood but real dangers faced by ordinary people in Aberdeenshire and beyond. Her message was clear: no one is immune from such malicious acts, and awareness is crucial to prevent others from suffering as she did.