An Angus Boys’ Brigade leader has been placed on the sex offenders register after admitting possessing indecent images of young boys.
Police found hundreds of photos of 12 to 16-year-olds on Mark Wilkie’s computer after intelligence led to a search of the home of the 47-year-old, who served with BB companies in Forfar and Monifieth.
National Boys’ Brigade chiefs said they were “deeply saddened” by the case and stressed Wilkie had been suspended as soon as they were made aware of the offences.
Wilkie, of McCulloch Drive, Forfar, yesterday appeared before Sheriff Gregor Murray at Forfar, where he admitted an indictment alleging the possession of indecent material between April 30 2007 and January 6 last year.
The court heard that as a result of confidential information obtained by police a warrant was obtained for a search of Wilkie’s home on January 6 last year.
In his bedroom officers found a computer with a single user profile under the name Mark. Indecent material was found on it, leading to a full forensic examination of the equipment in June.
A total of 412 indecent photographs of 12 to 16-year-old boys were recovered from four files, along with seven indecent videos.
Wilkie was arrested at his place of work and held overnight before appearing on petition from custody on January 7. He has been on bail since then.
Sheriff Murray deferred sentence until March 12 for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report and continued bail.
He ordered forfeiture of the computer equipment and told Wilkie his name would be added to the sex offenders register immediately, with the period of registration to be determined at sentencing.