Dundee University has held “open sessions” to assure staff there is no cause for concern after the partner of its Dean of Social Work was convicted of downloading child abuse images.
Kieran Docherty was convicted following a police raid on the Fife home he shares with Professor Tim Kelly.
Professor Kelly is the dean of social work and education, the senior Dundee academic in charge of training the next generation of social workers.
Docherty, a former Justice of the Peace and therapist, was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register this month after admitting the offences.
Police raided the home he shares in Newburgh with Prof Kelly in July.
The Courier has been contacted by staff at the university and residents of Newburgh, concerned about the situation.
A spokesman for the university said the issue has been discussed with staff to address any concerns they may have about Professor Kelly or his relationship with Docherty.
He said: “No university employee has been accused, charged or convicted with anything in this instance, and there are no matters arising from it that would create a conflict with professional or regulatory guidelines.
“Staff from the School of Education and Social Work and other parts of the university have been made fully aware of the situation.
“The Dean held an open session with staff in the School and our Vice-Principal (Academic Planning & Performance) held a further open Q&A session with staff in the School at which all were free to air their views.
“A follow-on meeting has also taken place, and messages distributed among all School staff, to provide clarity on the university’s position regarding current circumstances.
“School management have offered to discuss any and all aspects of the current situation both collectively with staff and on an individual basis. We have been as open as possible in all of our communications with staff.”
Dundee Sheriff Court was told both Docherty and Professor Kelly were told they would be detained on suspicion of downloading the images, which depicted young boys aged between two and 14, some showing children involved in “penetrative sexual contact” with adults.
At that point Docherty said: “If there’s any pornography it will be mine.”
No charges were brought against Professor Kelly.
Docherty, 62, of Coach Road, Newburgh, Fife, pleaded guilty on indictment to taking or making indecent photographs of children at his home address on July 28 last year.
Sentencing earlier this month, Sheriff Lorna Drummond QC said she accepted the offence was at “very much the lower end of the scale” and that he was a first offender.
She imposed a community payback order requiring Docherty to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.
The sheriff also ordered him to be subject to supervision for 24 months.
Docherty will remain on the sex offenders register throughout that period.
As a counsellor, he worked with the victims of sexual abuse, charging up to £40 an hour for his services.
