Alleged paedophile Neil Campbell 'on bell-ringing trip' when police raided home

Police raided the home of an alleged paedophile ? only to find he was on a bell-ringing trip with his church.

A trial heard today that Neil Campbell, 46, also helped look after children of all ages at an after-school club at Jordanhill Parish Church.

The High Court in Edinburgh has been watching footage of Campbell of Bearsden, Glasgow, being interviewed by detectives.

Operation Algebra ? which started when a photo of a naked boy was found on a works computer linked to another man on trial ? brought police to Campbell's door in March last year.

They found sick images in a plastic bag in the back of his wardrobe, said Detective Constable Stephen Quinn, who also conducted the interview.

During a question and answer session which followed, Campbell told them his main job was as manager for a cake business.

He also told them he was in a relationship with a man from Stepps, Glasgow, but still lived with his wife who had "an inkling" that he was gay.

When the questioning police officers asked Campbell if he was sexually attracted to children he told them: "I don't mind watching but I wouldn't do anything with them."

He went on to admit he was aroused by pictures of child abuse but not "in the flesh."

Campbell told the detectives: "I have never done anything with a child at all."

But the jury also saw records of e-mail and chat-log exchanges between Campbell and two men who are beside him in the dock going back to June 2005.

Among the discussions are references to images of James Rennie, former head of an advice centre for gay youngsters in Edinburgh, abusing a very young boy and recording what he was doing on a mobile phone.

When asked whether there had been any talk of the boy being available for sex with other men, Campbell suggested that had happened but added: "I don't know if it was all talk or if it was real or not."

Civil servant John Milligan ? who, the trial has heard, used the pseudonym "Tim Tobias" - appears to tell Campbell that Rennie has sent him pictures of the baby.

They both describe the boy as "a little cutie". Campbell then adds that he would like to spank him.

Campbell told the police during his interview about a visit to his home from a man alleged to be Rennie.

They watched DVD images of sex between man and animals and abuse of children, the court heard.

Defence QC Mark Stewart, for Rennie, questioned whether the description Campbell gave for the man he met actually fitted Rennie.

In another chat-log exchange Campbell tells of baby-sitting for two brothers aged eleven and nine years old. He says that although the older boy was quite "touchy feeley" he didn't dare try to do anything, in spite of feeling tempted.

On trial are engineer Neil Strachan, 41, and Rennie, ex-chief executive of LGBT Youth Scotland, both from Edinburgh; Strachan's former gay partner Colin Slaven, 23, also of Edinburgh; bank worker Ross Webber, 27, of North Berwick, East Lothian; insurance claims adjuster Craig Boath, 24, of Dundee; Cake firm manager Neil Campbell, 46, of Glasgow; civil servant John Milligan, 40, of Glasgow and John Murphy, 44, of Glasgow.

All deny charges alleging possession and distribution of child porn.
Strachan, Rennie, Webber, Boath, Campbell and Milligan also deny a conspiracy to participate in the sexual abuse of children.

Strachan, Rennie, Webber, Boath, Campbell, Milligan and Murphy also deny acting together to show each other indecent photos.

Strachan, Slaven and Rennie also deny serious sexual offences against very young children ? one of the youngsters allegedly molested by Rennie was as young as three months old.

Strachan is also accused of showing Rennie images of himself assaulting an 18-month old baby.

The offences are alleged to have been committed in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and East Lothian between January 2003 and November 2007.

The trial continues.