Child porn 'sent to advice boss'

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An alleged paedophile e-mailed a photo showing a child being abused to the boss of an advice centre for gay and lesbian youngsters, a court has heard.

The picture was shown to a jury at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Neil Strachan is said to have admitted in an accompanying message to LGBT Youth Scotland chief executive James Rennie: "That's me in the picture."

Mr Strachan and Mr Rennie are among eight men standing trial on a variety of child porn and abuse charges.

Police called the picture of a child being abused by a man "the Hogmanay image".

Although the face of the man featured in the image was not visible, detectives tried to trace him from his striped polo shirt.

Availability of youngsters

The image was found by experts after computer equipment linked to Mr Strachan's work was sent for repair, then handed over to police when "inappropriate material" was discovered, leading to the setting up of Operation Algebra.

Det Insp Stuart Hood, who led the inquiry, told the trial that computer software giants Microsoft were asked through the US courts for computer logs showing contacts between different e-mail addresses.

The results revealed exchanges between computer engineer Mr Strachan, 41, and Mr Rennie, 38, it was claimed. Both men are from Edinburgh.

The trial also heard how Mr Rennie used an e-mail address hinting that he liked child pornography.

He told police he "was trying to be witty" when questioned about a pseudonym "Kenny Plover" and the e-mail address "kplover99"

"KP is short for kids porn," he added.

Video clips

Mr Rennie also told the officers that he was chief executive of the advice centre which has offices in Leith.

LGBT Youth Scotland helps young people who have difficulties arising from their sexual orientation, the trial heard.

An e-mail, alleged to be from Mr Strachan to Mr Rennie, talked about "messing" with a six-year-old while he was asleep.

Mr Rennie asked in reply: "Is that you in the pic?"

His e-mail is answered: "Yeah, that was me. I have got others of the six-year-old when he was asleep but cannot send them."

One of the charges alleges that Mr Strachan sodomised an 18-month-old boy on Hogmanay 2005 or New Year's Day 2006. Another charge accuses him of distributing a photo of the abuse.

The trial also saw exchanges of e-mails apparently referring to the availability of youngsters for sex.

Jurors were also asked to view two video clips - lasting only a few seconds - and four photographs said to show another young child being molested, also claimed to have been found in Mr Rennie's e-mail inbox.

Indecent photographs

Also in the dock are Ross Webber, 27, of North Berwick, East Lothian; Colin Slaven, 23, of Edinburgh and Craig Boath, 24, of Dundee.

They are joined by Neil Campbell, 46; John Milligan, 40 and John Murphy, 44 - all from Glasgow.

All deny charges alleging possession and distribution of child porn.

Mr Strachan, Mr Rennie, Mr Webber, Mr Boath, Mr Campbell and Mr Milligan also deny a conspiracy to participate in the sexual abuse of children.

The same six men and Mr Murphy also deny acting together to show each other indecent photographs.

Mr Strachan, Mr Slaven and Mr Rennie further deny serious sexual offences against very young children.

One of the youngsters allegedly molested by Mr Rennie was as young as three-months-old.

Mr Strachan is also accused of showing Mr Rennie images of himself abusing an 18-month old baby.

The trial continues.