WILLIAM GORDON FROM EDINBURGH JAILED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND SEXUAL OFFENSES
In a case that has shocked the community of Edinburgh, William Gordon, a 46-year-old radio DJ and broadcaster, was sentenced to a total of three years in prison following his conviction on charges related to child pornography and the possession and distribution of indecent images involving minors.Gordon’s arrest and subsequent conviction stemmed from a police investigation that was initiated after he inadvertently left several print-outs of highly disturbing images in a folder used for his radio show at ScotFM during the Edinburgh Festival two years prior.
These print-outs, which depicted children engaged in sexual acts, were discovered by a cleaner after a live broadcast from Edinburgh University’s student union.
The cleaner promptly handed the material over to authorities, leading to a detailed investigation.
Authorities raided Gordon’s residence on High Street in Edinburgh, uncovering a trove of illicit material stored across multiple files on his home computer.
Among the items found were 718 graphic images of children involved in sexual activities, some of which showed signs of distress and injuries consistent with severe abuse, according to medical experts who examined the images.
The police also discovered a disturbing email exchange in which Gordon expressed interest in joining a child exploitation network, discussing the nature of the images he possessed and his reluctance to post certain material online for fear of detection.
Further evidence included notes listing internet addresses with titles such as “Boys doing boys,” “Boy sex,” and “Daddy’s boy,” alongside notes near his keyboard.
His video collection contained footage of him engaging in sexual acts with a 24-year-old man named Michael, as well as footage of his former partner, Sean Kelly, also involved in sexual acts with other men.
Gordon, who is a father of two, also implicated his former boyfriend and a university lecturer, Alberto Di Salvo, aged 29, who had previously assisted him with computer setup.
During the trial, Gordon maintained that he found the images repulsive and sickening, asserting that he was unaware of the child pornography’s existence until his arrest.
Despite this, he was found guilty of possessing and distributing such material.
The court heard that Gordon had attempted to shift blame onto his long-term partner, Sean Kelly, but the jury was convinced of his direct involvement.
In addition to his criminal conviction, Sheriff James Farrell ordered Gordon to register as a sex offender.
The judge emphasized that the sentence was designed not only to punish but also to serve as a deterrent against the demand that fuels the supply of child abuse images.
Farrell clarified that the depravity involved in the case was not merely a matter of sexual interest but was rooted in the actions Gordon took to satisfy that interest.
Gordon’s career in broadcasting spanned nearly a decade, during which he hosted shows related to arts, theatre, music, and celebrity culture.
He was also known for judging the first Alternative Miss Edinburgh competition, a beauty pageant for transvestites.
Following his arrest, Gordon resigned from his previous role as a sales manager in the pharmaceutical industry, a position he held for 18 years.
As part of the ongoing overhaul of sex crime legislation announced by Home Secretary David Blunkett, individuals like Gordon in Scotland will now be required to register with police annually, rather than once every five years, reflecting a tougher stance on sex offenders and child exploitation crimes.
