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Jury goes out in child abuse case Jury retires in child abuse case
(about 6 hours later)
The jury in the trial of eight alleged paedophiles has begun considering its verdict. The jury in the trial of eight alleged paedophiles has gone home for the night and will continue to consider its verdict on Thursday.
The judge spent Tuesday at the High Court in Edinburgh giving the seven men and seven women legal directions. One juror was excused earlier in the trial. The jury of seven men and seven women at the High Court in Edinburgh spent Wednesday deliberating.
Charges range from child abuse to possessing and distributing images of child abuse between 2003 and 2007. Charges range from raping a toddler to possessing and distributing images of child abuse between 2003 and 2007.
The accused deny the charges, alleged to have taken place in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and East Lothian. The accused deny some of the charges, alleged to have happened in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and East Lothian.
One juror was excused earlier in the trial.
The accused are James Rennie, 38, Neil Strachan, 41, Colin Slaven, 23 - all from Edinburgh - Neil Campbell, 46, John Milligan, 40, and John Murphy, 44 - all from Glasgow - Ross Webber, 27, from North Berwick and Craig Boath, 24, from Dundee.The accused are James Rennie, 38, Neil Strachan, 41, Colin Slaven, 23 - all from Edinburgh - Neil Campbell, 46, John Milligan, 40, and John Murphy, 44 - all from Glasgow - Ross Webber, 27, from North Berwick and Craig Boath, 24, from Dundee.
During eight weeks of evidence the court has heard allegations that engineer Neil Strachan had sex with an 18-month old toddler and sent a photo of the abuse to a friend. During the 10 week trial the court heard allegations that engineer Neil Strachan had sex with an 18-month old toddler and sent a photo of the abuse to a friend.
James Rennie has admitted abusing a baby boy he was looking after. James Rennie has admitted abusing a three-month-old boy he was looking after.
Internet chatsInternet chats
He also faces an allegation of conspiring to allow other paedophiles access to the child.
The jury have been shown graphic images of child abuse and sadistic acts perpetrated against youngsters.The jury have been shown graphic images of child abuse and sadistic acts perpetrated against youngsters.
They have also seen records of internet chats about sexual fantasies involving children.They have also seen records of internet chats about sexual fantasies involving children.
Lothian and Borders Police launched Operation Algebra in August 2007 to investigate a possible paedophile ring after a photograph of a naked boy was found on a paint firm's computer equipment which had been sent for repair. Lothian and Borders Police launched Operation Algebra in August 2007 to investigate a possible paedophile network after a photograph of a naked boy was found on a paint firm's computer equipment which had been sent for repair.
Their inquiries in Britain, the US and other European countries involved trawling through hours of internet material before the case came to court.Their inquiries in Britain, the US and other European countries involved trawling through hours of internet material before the case came to court.
The eight men all face child pornography charges.The eight men all face child pornography charges.
Mr Strachan, Mr Rennie, Mr Webber, Mr Boath, Mr Campbell and Mr Milligan are also accused of a conspiracy to participate in the sexual abuse of children.Mr Strachan, Mr Rennie, Mr Webber, Mr Boath, Mr Campbell and Mr Milligan are also accused of a conspiracy to participate in the sexual abuse of children.
Mr Strachan and Mr Rennie also face charges alleging serious sexual offences against very young children.Mr Strachan and Mr Rennie also face charges alleging serious sexual offences against very young children.
The judge finished his charge on Wednesday before the jury retired.