James Rennie, who sexually assaulted a three-month old boy, and Neil Strachan, who tried to rape a toddler, have been spotted walking the streets of the capital.
18:33, 12 May 2025Updated 18:34, 12 May 2025
Paedophile porn kingpins James Rennie (left) and Neil Strachan have been seen roaming Edinburgh(Image: PA)
Two ringleaders of one of the largest paedophile networks in the UK are preparing for possible prison release – despite being branded a “risk to public safety”.
James Rennie, who sexually assaulted a three-month old boy, and Neil Strachan, who tried to rape a toddler, have been spotted walking the streets of Edinburgh during leave from an open prison.
Rennie, 54, is former chief executive of gay and trans rights charity LGBT Youth Scotland.
As reported by the Scottish Daily Express, he spends a week in the Crane Hostel in the city’s New Town at different times to Strachan, 57.
The pair were locked up in 2009 following a case that involved a haul of 125,000 child abuse images and videos.
Tory deputy spokeswoman on victims and community safety, Sharon Dowey, said: “Victims will be disgusted that these predatory criminals are freely walking about in Edinburgh.
“This decision clearly poses a risk to public safety and sums up the contempt the SNP’s justice system has for brave victims.”
The beasts were being held at open prison Castle Huntly, near Dundee. The men who hail from Edinburgh are serving reduced sentences following an appeal to nine years and eight and a half years.
Scottish Labour justice spokesman Pauline McNeill told the Daily Mail: “Given the horrific nature of these crimes, it is concerning that these men are being given the chance to fraternise.”
A Scottish Prison Service spokesman said: “We do not comment on individuals.”
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