Police have launched a probe after evidence linked to a child sex abuse case was allegedly found in the loft of an ex-detective’s old home.
Footage of interviews with the victims and their attacker, witness statements and other confidential paperwork was allegedly discovered at Stuart Galloway’s former address.
Indecent images of children were also believed to have been recovered.
A shocked tenant, who rented the property years after the former CID officer moved out, contacted the police.
Galloway, 47, who left the force in 2014, has now been charged with indecent images offences.
It is understood the evidence found at the house was linked to a case involving four children who had been abused by a male offender.
The find allegedly included footage of the victims being interviewed in a police station by officers and copies of statements they gave.
A computer hard drive, which allegedly contained disturbing images of abuse, was also recovered.
A source said: “The person who moved in checked the loft and reported he’d discovered a bag containing DVDs and documents marked ‘confidential’.”
It is understood the paperwork was statements the children gave to police when they were interviewed. The abuse victims were all under 16.
Child protection agency documents and statements from other adults are also believed to have been found.
Police recovered two DVDs of interviews which included footage of a male being quizzed by police, it is understood.
The source added: “The man who found it got a shock when he watched one of the DVDs.
“He called police, who went to the house and took everything.”
The discovery was made in Kilmarnock’s Alloway Drive earlier this month.
Galloway, a former child protection unit officer, is thought to have lived there about 10 years ago. He left the force after 19 years’ service.
Last week, police arrested and charged Galloway with possessing indecent images.
The ex-detective constable moved to Arran about five years ago to help run The Broomage B&B with his partner.
On the VisitScotland website, it is described as “a charming house”.
A woman who answered the phone at the B&B yesterday said: “Stuart Galloway has no association with the business. He lived here but is not expected to be back.”
A police spokesperson said: “A 47-year-old man was arrested and charged on July 15 in connection with possession of indecent images of children.
“He was released to appear at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on October 8.”
