Gisborne crime: Richard Strachan, retired stockbroker, found with child abuse images

A police raid at the home of a former stockbroker who had hidden relationships with boys has found more than 3000 child abuse photos and a collection of erotic fiction.

An elderly creep wrote erotic fiction about young boys being molested for when he was “in the mood”, a court has heard.

Richard Ian Strachan appeared at the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday and pleaded guilty to producing and possessing child abuse material after a search of his Gisborne home.

The court heard the vile stories were saved among a collection of more than 3000 child abuse photos.

It was revealed the 76-year-old retired stockbroker had previously been on the sex offenders register when police raided his house making the disgusting find in August 2020.

He was first put on the record after a package containing child pornography “cascaded” onto the floor at his local Australia Post in 2010.

Strachan was reported and added onto the vile list for eight years in 2011.

The court heard during that time he was required to report all contact with children under 16 to police.

But Strachan struck up a secret relationship with four boys.

There was no allegation Strachan sexually abused the four boys, however under the rules a registered sex offender is required to report this contact to police within 24 hours.

This prompted police to raid the man’s Gisborne home, seizing laptops, a phone and a three hard drives on Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

According to court documents the electronics contained 3135 photographs of boys, predominantly aged between eight and 12 year old, in sexual poses and varying amounts of clothing.

Many of the boys were completely naked.

Police also uncovered erotic stories Strachan had written depicting graphic child abuse material.

The court heard Strachan told officers the vile stories were for when he “was in the mood”.

Some stories graphically described an older man, often a schoolteacher, abusing boys aged 10 to 12.

Strachan did not deny possessing and producing the child abuse material, but repeatedly told officers, “I am not gay”.

His lawyer said Strachan did not show a sexual interest in young boys until he moved out of his Tylden home where he lived with his wife.

He said Strachan had to leave his wife following the small-town gossip surrounding his previous child abuse conviction in 2011.

Strachan’s legal counsel said the man was “wired differently”.

“For the first time in his life, he’s getting treatment,” his lawyer said.

“He’s now getting insight to this … he’s ashamed.”

Strachan pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing and producing child abuse material, and failing to meet his reporting conditions on Wednesday, May 12.

Magistrate Russell Kelly said Strachan would be listed as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

Strachan will be assessed for a two-year community corrections order, which will likely focus on mental health and sexual offending.

He is due to reappear in Bendigo Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday May 18.