Child rapist who filmed abuse jailed for ten years

A child rapist who secretly filmed his abuse of children and a woman during a catalogue of offences has been jailed for ten years.

The case against Keith Ferguson was heard at the High Court in Edinburgh. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Keith Ferguson was caught with images of sex acts he had committed along with a collection of child pornography he had amassed, including images and videos of the most serious type. Police detained Ferguson, 44, after intelligence was received from the National Online Child Abuse Prevention Agency. Before he left his home in Aberdeen, he said: “I’ve done bad things. It’s going to get bad for a while.”

A judge told Ferguson at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday: “It is clear you present a serious risk of sexual harm to children.”

Lord Malcolm said: “Given the nature and gravity of your offending I am of the view that only a substantial period of imprisonment would be appropriate and in your case on your release special protective measures will be necessary.”

The judge ordered that Ferguson be under supervision for a further ten-year period and told him that if he breached the terms of his licence or offended again during that time he could be returned to jail for the present offences.

The technician admitted sexually assaulting and raping a girl aged between three and five, sexually assaulting another three-year-old and sexually assaulting a sleeping woman.

He also pled guilty to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of children and making and possessing indecent photos of children between June 2010 and June this year.

The court earlier heard that when police raided his home on 3 June this year with a search warrant a large number of electronic items were seized for examination.

Advocate depute Stephen McCloy said a number of the indecent images recovered had been made by Ferguson and featured his victims. Others appeared to have been downloaded from the internet.

He said a total of 1,552 indecent photos were found, including 78 showing the worst examples of abuse. A further 233 videos were found, including 103 at the most serious level.

Defence counsel Ronnie Renucci said: “He accepts there is no excuse and no justification whatsoever for his behaviour.”