A north-east geologist caught with more than 1,000 indecent images of children – some as young as two – has avoided jail.
Aidan Karley was also found with 13 pornographic videos featuring children and teenagers, as well as a number of photographs classed as “extreme”.
The offences took place over the course of 11 months, between February 2013 and January 2014, at an address on Fairview Manor, Danestone, Aberdeen.
The 50-year-old – who is self-employed after being made redundant from an Aberdeen oil and gas firm – previously admitted the offences and appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for sentence yesterday.
Fiscal depute David Bernard told the court that police had found Karley’s laptop when they searched his house in Danestone after receiving a tip-off.
A number of folders containing 1,364 indecent photographs stored on the device were discovered.
Of the images recovered, 18 were classed as level five – the most severe – 216 were level four, 77 were level three, 25 were level two, and 1,364 were level one.
The court also heard that 13 videos, totalling three hours and 18 minutes, were found on Karley’s computer, and 20 images of extreme pornography, featuring bestiality, were also discovered.
Mr Bernard said the photos and videos featured mostly girls, aged between two and 15.
Defence agent Iain McGregor told the court first-offender Karley, of 90 Montrose Street, Brechin, understood the “extremely serious” nature of his crimes, and urged the court to consider an alternative to jail.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan said Karley was on the verge” of being locked up but instead imposed a community payback order.
He told the geologist: “It goes without saying that these are disgusting offences and as you have heard you have come very, very close to a custodial sentence.
“Although it could be said that you richly deserve a prison sentence, I’ve taken the view that the public interest will be better served by imposing a sentence that will allow you to address the issues you have which led to your offending.”
Sheriff Buchanan sentenced Karley to 180 hours unpaid work and placed him under supervision for three years.
He also put him on the sex offenders register and ordered him to complete the Tay Project, a rehabilitation programme.