Following the conclusion of a 10 week trial at the High Court at Edinburgh, eight men have been convicted of a variety of child sexual abuse charges.

This case, known as Operation Algebra, was one of the biggest and most challenging ever investigated by Lothian and Borders Police and represented the largest paedophile network dismantled in Scotland.

As the investigation unfolded it revealed a web of people who had a common interest in child sexual abuse. They made initial contact via the internet and used it to share vile imagery and discuss the abuse of children.

Lothian and Borders Police had tremendous support from agencies throughout the UK and abroad during this inquiry. And the expertise provided by SCDEA, SOCA, FBI and CEOP proved invaluable in bringing these individuals to justice.

Neil Strachan and James Rennie will be sentenced in July while their co-accused Ross Webber, Colin Slaven, Craig Boath, Neil Campbell, John Milligan and John Murphy will be sentenced in June.

After the convictions on Thursday, May 7, 2009 Det Supt Allan Jones said: “Our thoughts go out to the victims and their families who have gone through untold trauma as a result of these despicable acts. It is every parent’s nightmare that their children have been abused and they knew nothing about it. It is even more daunting that, due to their young age, these children were not able to communicate what was happening to them. Despite that, the families have been a source of unwavering support throughout this investigation and it is our sincere hope the children will flourish and they will be able to enjoy the normal family lives they rightly deserve.’

Det Supt Jones added: “The internet is an integral part of our daily lives but those who seek to use it for criminal purposes should be warned that it is not as anonymous as they may think. They leave a digital footprint which law enforcement will follow and hold them to account.

“This case has shown that Lothian and Borders Police and other law enforcement agencies will follow this forensic trail to pursue them and bring them to justice. “The skills the Force has learnt from this inquiry in this area will stand it in good stead in the future.

“All the accused led classic double lives. Some of them were respected members of their professions and communities.

“As a result of this inquiry, information on around 70 other people was sent to Forces throughout the UK and resulted in numerous arrests.”

Det Supt Jones added: “What everyone must remember is that behind every image is a child who is being abused – it is definitely not the victimless crime some would like to portray it as.”

The Force also received invaluable assistance from LGBT Youth, who co-operated from an early stage; Microsoft , who helped trace email addresses and identities, Prof Sue Black of Dundee University – a world acclaimed forensic anthropologist, and US academics –Prof Hany Farid, University of Dartmouth, and Prof Miroslaw Goljan, University of Binghamton, who are leaders in Stegananlysis – a forensic technique which links an image with the camera on which is had been taken.

Press Release

7 May 2009 – Statement following conclusion of Operation Algebra trial