Court / Sentence deferred on man who possessed indecent images

A MAN from Lerwick will face sentencing next month after admitting possessing indecent photographs of children.

Danny Conroy, of Arheim, pleaded guilty to the charge when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The offence came to light when police officers, acting on intelligence, searched the 45-year-old’s home in April last year.

Conroy admitted possessing the images at his home address and elsewhere on or between 6 June 2021 and 5 April 2022.

Police ended up analysing a mobile phone, a computer tower and a number of hard drives.

They found 12 accessible category C images – the least severe grading of indecent images – and nearly 12,000 “inaccessible” photos.

There were a total of 36,798 “indicative” images – photos that the crown cannot conclude are indecent.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told court that Conroy had added some “taglines” on the photos containing “fairly depraved terms”.

The court also heard that data recovery software was found on his computer.

When interviewed by police Conroy said there would be images found – but “not to that extent”.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said there was a serious background to his client’s history and said this would be mentioned in the case’s criminal justice social work report.

Sentenced was deferred until 15 March, at which point Allan will speak more in mitigation.

Sheriff Ian Cruickshank also agreed to a crown request for forfeiture of the items seized by police.

Conroy was also told he was now subject to sex offender notification requirements.