STUART MILLAR FROM BRIDGE OF ALLAN AND TROON ESCAPES JAIL AFTER POSSESSING 40,000 INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Bridge of Allan and Troon, Stuart Jack Millar, aged 21, narrowly avoided imprisonment after admitting to possessing an alarming collection of indecent images of children. The authorities uncovered more than 40,000 such photographs, along with hundreds of videos depicting minors in explicit and illegal situations. Among these images, over 300 were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of offensive content.

The criminal activity took place at a residence in Bridge of Allan, with the offenses spanning from December 18, 2015, to September 12, 2016. The case came to light when police investigations revealed the extent of Millar’s digital collection, prompting his arrest and subsequent court proceedings.

Stuart Millar, who currently resides in Troon, appeared before Stirling Sheriff Court in April. At that time, his sentencing was postponed to allow for the preparation of reports that could inform the court’s decision. The case was revisited on a Wednesday morning, with Sheriff Wyllie Robertson presiding. After careful consideration, the sheriff expressed his decision with notable reluctance, opting to impose an alternative to immediate custody.

Representing Millar, defense solicitor Ken Dalling acknowledged the gravity of the offense, stating: “This is a serious offence committed over a considerable period of time. Some of the images are of the most serious category. But this is a young man, who has no previous convictions, and I would suggest that nothing could be gained by sending him to prison. He has taken steps to seek assistance and will take every opportunity to complete his rehabilitation and get on with his life.”

In response, Sheriff Robertson outlined the sentence, which included supervision and community service. He explained that his decision was influenced by various factors, including Millar’s lack of prior convictions, the relatively low number of Category A images, and the fact that the majority of the images were classified as Category C. The sheriff also noted that Millar had begun addressing his issues and appeared to be making some progress.

As part of the sentence, Millar was placed under a three-year supervision order, with strict conditions prohibiting contact with children under 17 and restricting access to electronic devices without permission. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work within the next three months. This sentence was handed down as a direct alternative to imprisonment, reflecting the court’s attempt to balance punishment with the potential for rehabilitation.