Inverness church suspends organist who was jailed for child pornography offences

An Inverness church has barred its relief organist, who was previously jailed for child pornography offences, amid concerns he has broken rules allowing him access to the building.

Crown Church of Scotland has suspended Iain McIntyre and is not allowing him into the building whose hall is used as a nursery unit for the neighbouring Crown Primary School.

The action came after parents raised their concerns and the school head teacher and senior education officers were in contact with the church and reported to child protection officers

In a statement, the Church of Scotland sought to give reassurances that Mr McIntyre, who began playing the organ in the the church in February 2024, was never in the building during school nursery hours, or alone with a child.

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Mr McIntyre was sentenced at Inverness Sheriff Court in March 2020 to 18 months in prison after police discovered 3716 indecent images and 80 video fragments on his computer.

The court heard the discovery was made after police visited his home in Tain as part of routine monitoring and risk management following his release from prison after he had been jailed in by the High Court in Edinburgh for a previous offence.

For the past year, he has been playing the organ for the church which was aware of both convictions and worked with the police and put a set of rules in place at the time.

Since August 2022, the church’s lower hall has been used as a two-classroom nursery unit for the primary school next door as part of a partnership with Highland Council.

In a statement, the Church of Scotland said a decision has been taken to stand down Mr McIntyre from his employment owing to a concern he may not be fully abiding by the rules allowing him into the church.

“Mr McIntyre played the organ at the Sunday service once a month and practiced with the adult choir weekly and was a member of the Crown Church adult band,” a spokesperson said.

"The church learned of his convictions and charges in February 2024 and have been working with the police since then. He has had to abide by a set of rules to be allowed into the church.

"Currently he is suspended and not allowed into the church.

“At no time was he alone with a child or young person under 18.

“He was never in the church during school nursery hours.”

A Highland Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of concerns which have been raised by parents in relation to this matter.

“The school head teacher and senior education officers have been in touch with the church and reported to child protection officers so that any appropriate protection measures can be actioned if required.

“Child protection, wellbeing and safety is paramount and if anyone has any concerns about children or young people, they should not hesitate in reporting these.

“Help and advice numbers are available at www.hcpc.scot but in an emergency, police should be contacted on 101/999.”

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