Paedophilia charges man 'helped at children's club'

Published on Monday 6 April 2009 21:42

A MAN facing paedophilia charges had helped look after children at a club run by his church, a jury heard yesterday.

Neil Campbell, 46, of Bearsden, Glasgow, told detectives after his arrest that, although married, he was gay and his wife had not known but might "have had an inkling".

The High Court in Edinburgh was told that Lothian and Borders Police detained and questioned Campbell in March last year, as part of Operation Algebra, a major investigation into child pornography and sexual abuse.

Campbell said he worked as a manager of a cake business, and was involved with Jordanhill Parish Church, and looked after children in an after-school club in the church.

He told police he had met men via chatrooms. Later, each had come to his home while his wife was out and they viewed indecent images of children and engaged in sexual activity.

Campbell, along with James Rennie, 38, of Edinburgh, John Milligan, 40, of Glasgow, Neil Strachan, 41, of Edinburgh, Ross Webber, 27, of North Berwick, East Lothian, and Craig Boath, 24, of Dundee, are accused of conspiring to participate in the commission of sexual offences against children.

They, and Colin Slaven, 23, of Edinburgh, and John Murphy, 44, of Glasgow, are charged with possessing and distributing indecent images of children.

The trial continues.