THE Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament yesterday sought a meeting with Cathy Jamieson, the Justice Minister, over a sheriff’s decision to allow an internet paedophile to remain in the community while awaiting sentence.

Euan Aitken, an unemployed roofer, was released on bail for a second time last week despite admitting having for distribution films and photos of babies and children being abused.

George Reid, the Presiding Officer, whose Ochil seat includes Aitken’s home town, said he had been deluged by calls from constituents.

Mr Reid said: “I have asked for a face-to-face meeting with Cathy Jamieson to discuss the bail granted to Euan Aitken.

“Bail for serious offences is a privilege and not a right. While it is not my practice to challenge judicial decisions publicly, a considerable number of my constituents have expressed their deep concerns about the decision. I shall make their views known to the minister and seek her comments.”

“I am generally supportive of measures for electronic tagging, enhanced supervision, much more public information of why bail is granted or refused, and more consistency in decision-making.”

Aitken, 28, was described as Scotland’s worst internet paedophile.

From his home in Sauchie, near Alloa, he distributed films and photographs of more than 700 different children being abused. Police who raided the house found a stockpile of nearly 160 child porn movies and 800 photos.

Aitken was placed on the sex offenders’ register and released on bail until July while sentence was deferred for background reports and a risk assessment.

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