Fury over bail for net paedophile

Aitken was released on bail whilst awaiting sentence

A decision to let a convicted internet paedophile live in the community whilst awaiting sentence has provoked outrage.

Euan Aitken, 28, admitted preparing to distribute a library of what was branded some of the worst child porn ever seen in Scotland.

Aitken was placed on the sex offenders' register and released on bail while sentence was deferred for background reports and a risk assessment.

Scottish Tory leader David McLetchie said the move "defied belief".

On Monday, Aitken pleaded guilty to stockpiling 157 child porn movies and 800 pictures at his flat in Clackmannanshire.

Alloa Sheriff Court was told that the images and video clips showed "graphic and serious sexual abuse of children".

The former labourer pleaded guilty to possessing indecent images at his flat in Sauchie, with intent to distribute.

If someone is convicted of offences of this nature and they're put on the sex offenders register, then clearly they are a danger to the public David McLetchie Scottish Tory Party leader

He also admitted downloading child porn.

The offences were committed between July 2003 and March 2004.

While in court he had sat on his haunches in a corner of the room for half an hour, before agreeing to take to the dock.

He was placed on the sex offenders register for an "initial" five years.

On Thursday, Sheriff David Mackie released Aitken on bail after his lawyer claimed he was not a danger to children.

Sentencing was deferred until 5 July.

Mr McLetchie said he was very concerned about the decision.

He said: "If someone is convicted of offences of this nature and they're put on the sex offenders register, then clearly they are a danger to the public.

"To allow someone to wander around the streets of our community who is demonstrably a threat to safety of people frankly defies belief."

Anne MacDonald, an independent expert on the harm caused in later life by child sex abuse, said the sheriff was totally out of step with public opinion.

She said: "Releasing them into the community on bail gives the wrong message to perpetrators who might think this is acceptable, but also to victims of sexual assault who think somehow their issues are not important."