In 2024, the Offender Database reported that Blaine Towler, then 19, of Kirkhill Road, Torry, Aberdeen, was sentenced at Aberdeen Sheriff Court after police discovered an extensive collection of indecent material on his devices. Towler had organised images of toddlers in a phone folder marked ‘hot stuff’ and was caught sharing videos with another offender.
The investigation was triggered when the National Child Abuse Investigating Unit alerted Police Scotland that a Snapchat account linked to Towler had uploaded a Category A image. A search of his home in Torry, Aberdeenshire, uncovered two mobile phones used to distribute material via applications including Kik and Telegram.
Disturbing Digital Evidence
Cybercrime officers found dozens of photographs and videos of boys and girls as young as one. On one device, a folder titled ‘hot stuff’ contained 50 videos. On the second device, Towler was active in a Telegram group chat where up to 80 Category A images and videos were discovered.
The material found included:
- Category A videos of girls aged between 10 and 14.
- Extreme pornography involving both children and animals.
- Distributing indecent images to other users on the Kik app.
In the dock, Towler pleaded guilty to downloading, possessing, and distributing child abuse material, as well as possessing extreme pornography.
Sentence and Community Disposal
Sheriff Christine McCrossan described the offences as serious and concerning but opted for a community-based disposal to allow Towler to receive social work intervention. For his crimes in Aberdeen, Blaine Towler was:
- Placed on a Community Payback Order with supervision for three years.
- Ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
- Required to participate in a sex offenders programme.
- Placed on the Sex Offenders Register for three years.
His defence solicitor argued that Towler required significant assistance from the criminal justice social work department to address his behaviour.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Towler is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Police Scotland. His residency in Torry, Aberdeenshire, and his digital activities will be under intense scrutiny during his three-year registration period.
Specially trained officers will monitor his compliance with the sex offenders programme and ensure he has no further access to prohibited material. Any failure to comply with his supervision or further illegal digital activity will result in an immediate return to court and the likelihood of a custodial sentence.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.