A paedophile forgot he was on the Sex Offenders Register – then tried to blame police for his breach.
Disgraced businessman Alasdair Morrison was jailed in 2009 after officers uncovered a sick stash of nearly 40,000 child abuse files at his home and workplace in Crieff.
Morrison returned to Perth Sheriff Court this week to challenge allegations he breached the terms of his notification requirements.
He denied he failed to attend at a police station to update his details within a 12-month period.
At his trial, the 51-year-old admitted he had not completed his yearly registration before deadline on April 12 2019 but he said it was Police Scotland’s fault for not reminding him.
‘We’ll never get along’
Retired Detective Sergeant Louise Murray told the court she left a voicemail for Morrison on April 17 2019, letting him know his registration was overdue.
“He called me back and said he had not registered because he did not believe he was subject to notifications.
“He was adamant he was off the register.”
However, Morrison remains on the register until July 2024, the court heard.
Ms Murray said: “I’m sure he won’t mind me saying that he doesn’t appreciate the length of time he was put on the register.
“It is not something he agrees with.”
In a bizarre exchange, Morrison – representing himself – told Ms Murray: “I’ve got nothing against you personally.
“It’s unfortunate these circumstances mean we’ll never get along. That’s just how things are.”
He went on to ask about his demeanour when he spoke to Ms Murray on the phone.
“You weren’t friendly,” she said. “It wasn’t amicable.
“I’m trying to be polite but the way you spoke to me was like I was an idiot and I didn’t understand what was happening.”
When Morrison attended at Perth police station later that day, he was charged with the alleged breach.
Scattered thinking
Former garage boss Morrison told the court: “The only thing I can really say is that this offence was not intended.
“It comes from a point of view of ignorance.
“I should have had the necessary information but I didn’t.”
He added: “I believe that the authorities and Police Scotland had the necessary evidence to avoid an offence taking place.
“I believe they held onto evidence, knowing full well that an offence would take place.
“The whole idea is that they’re meant to be protecting the public etcetera etcetera.”
Morrison, of Nimmo Avenue, Perth, admitted to fiscal depute Andrew Harding he had forgot he was supposed to register.
“I can be very scattered in my thinking,” he said.
“That’s just the way my head works.”
Sheriff Lindsay Foulis found Morrison guilty and fined him £200.
He said: “The position is quite clear – the obligation is upon you to notify annually.”
Crime was not victimless
Police raided Morrison’s then home and workplace in Crieff on February 5 2008.
A total of 26,288 images were found on devices, along with a further 12,181 deleted items which were later recovered by tech experts.
During a police interview, Morrison said he had went onto child abuse websites out of curiosity, downloading the images and paying for them with his credit card
It cost him his marriage and his business.
Jailing him for eight months, Sheriff Robert McCreadie told him: “These are not victimless crimes.
“Each of these dozens of images represents a victim of child abuse and exploitation – and viewing these images contributes to and nourishes their exploitation.”
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