Man Hid Indecent Images of Children With Hi-Tech Disc Cleaning Software

A married man used hi-tech information shredding equipment to try and hide the fact he had been downloading and watching child porn videos.

Paul Eyres, 30, claimed one video was found on his computer as a result of an accident.

But police discovered that Eyres had been using disk cleaning technology to hide his interest in the depraved material which spanned a four year period.

A sheriff told Eyres that she did not believe he was simply "naive" and pointed out that he had bought specialised "shredding equipment" and used "pre-teen" as a search term.

Sheriff Fiona Tait ordered Eyres to carry out 300 hours unpaid work and imposed a series of tight restrictions on his future use of the internet.

Eyres, from Blairgowrie, admitted having indecent images of children at his home between 18 February 2011 and 26 November 2014.

Fiscal depute Carol Whyte said: "It was the opinion of examiners that the accused had used file shredding and disk cleaning applications in order to avoid file detection."

She said Eyres had admitted during an interview with police that he had downloaded and deleted a number of videos.

Solicitor Sarah Smith, defending, said: "He has been with his wife ten years and married for four. He is fully supported by his wife. His employment may be in jeopardy.

"There was no intention to view such material. There was the intention to view other, legal, material but his behaviour was reckless. He takes a limited level of responsibility.

"He took no gratification from viewing the image. He found it quite shocking. He was quite naive and simply deleted the material.

"He said he had the software for copying music and films."

However, Sheriff Tait said: "The analysis concludes there had been file shredding, so other material had been deleted. File shredding equipment had been used to delete information.

"That's not particularly naive. I don't think that using equipment to clear files sits with someone who is naive. The report concludes that the equipment was used to avoid detection.

"It has to be borne in mind that the charge relates to three and a half years. Search criteria had been used which related to pre-teens. No satisfactory explanation has been given."

Eyres was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for two years.

• Local News