The police who brought down Scotland’s largest paedophile network ran a “world class” operation, the Scottish Parliament has heard today.
Following the sentencing of the ringleaders in one of Scotland’s most significant legal cases, Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill told MSPs: “These truly appauling crimes were uncovered and the perpetrators successfully brought to justice thanks to the outstanding work of the police and prosecutors involved.
“It was a case of global dimensions and shows we have a world class police service.”
He added: “As a society, we are deeply grateful for the work they do, day-in-day-out.”
James Rennie and Neil Strachan were sentenced to a minimum of 13 and 16 years respectively for making and distributing horrific images of child pornography and abusing children over a number of years. They will be subject to restrictions for the rest of their lives once they are released from prison.
The two men from Edinburgh were the ringleaders in a case that saw six other men sentenced to 43 years between them and another 60 arrests made across the UK.
MacAskill also revealed tougher measures to target sex offenders.
He told parliament that the SNP would consider extending a pilot scheme in Tayside which allows parents to find out from police if someone in contact with their children is a sex offender.
Other measures include gathering more social and household data from sex offenders and monitoring e-mail addresses.
Mr MacAskill said he had met with members of the operation and received a clear message from officers.
He said: "To offenders, or potential offenders - the law enforcement agencies are after you and they will get you.
"Anybody who views such material on the internet in Scotland faces the very real prospect of being caught and prosecuted and punished severely."