Ewan Dillon

A former Labour councillor from Stirling, Ewan Dillon, has been sentenced for possessing indecent images of children after police discovered child abuse material on his mobile phone. The case, heard at Stirling Sheriff Court, highlights the serious nature of online child sexual exploitation and the legal consequences for those involved.

Police Scotland’s online child sexual abuse and exploitation unit received information in May 2022 indicating that a device at Dillon's home in Stirling contained indecent images of children. This was the same month that Dillon, then aged 19, was elected as a Labour councillor representing Bridge of Allan and Dunblane on Stirling Council. Officers from Police Scotland raided the property on 29 September 2022 and located the phone in his bedroom. Dillon was present at the house with his father at the time of the raid.

During police questioning, Dillon admitted to viewing indecent images of children on the phone but claimed he had never saved any. A forensic examination of the handset revealed 58 child abuse images, with 15 classified in the most serious category, including photos of girls aged five to ten being raped. Dillon, who had become an independent councillor shortly after the raid, told officers: “All I want to say on the record is that it’s an accident. It’s a link, something has been downloaded or sent to me, and I’ve deleted it.” He further added, “The fact of the matter is that it’s been on my phone at one point.”

Dillon pleaded guilty to downloading child abuse images between 18 October 2021 and 29 September 2022. Prior to resigning from the Labour Party group in March 2024, he had served as vice-convener of the community planning and regeneration committee and the children and young people committee on Stirling Council.

Sheriff Keith O’Mahony sentenced Dillon to 270 hours of unpaid work and placed him under social work supervision for two years. He was also required to register on the sex offenders’ register for five years. Helen Nisbet, procurator fiscal for Tayside, Central, and Fife, commented: “Ewan Dillon pleaded guilty to and has now been sentenced for possessing horrendous images of child abuse. These are not victimless crimes. They perpetuate the humiliation and devastation suffered by child victims of sexual abuse and are an affront to society. We will always treat these crimes seriously.”

The case was reported by Criminal Lawyers Glasgow on 5 August 2024, based on proceedings at Stirling Sheriff Court. Police Scotland led the investigation, underscoring their commitment to combating child sexual exploitation.