Court / Community payback for Lerwick man who had child abuse images on his computer

A TWENTY nine year old man who admitted viewing indecent images of children on his computer has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

Nathan Bryant, of Lerwick’s Burnside had previously admitted committing the offence at his home address between June 2014 and September 2020.

Lerwick Sheriff Court had previously heard that some of the children depicted appeared to be “only one or two years old”.

One seven-minute video had been taken using screen recording software and showed Bryant accessing a “a large number” of indecent images of children being abused, procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told the court in January.

When he appeared for sentencing on Wednesday, Bryant’s defence agent Tommy Allan said that in a social work report his client had for the first time disclosed details of traumatic abuse he himself had suffered earlier in life.

Allan said that Bryant was absolutely clear that “any behaviour towards him” did not excuse the offence he had pleaded guilty to, adding “his regret and shame for this is evident”.

He added that, while Bryant’s behaviour could not be condoned, “we are not speaking about a huge number of images” and his client had no previous convictions or other outstanding cases.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank imposed a community payback order under supervision for two years and ordered Bryant to carry out the unpaid hours within 12 months.

Bryant will also be subject to notification requirements under sexual offences legislation.