The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Teen found with child abuse video on phone walks free from court
Ateenage girl who downloaded a toddler abuse video and researched murdering babies has been allowed to walk free from court.
Denen Steven Anderson has been banned from having any contact with children under the age of 18 and prohibited from using social network sites.
Anderson, 18, was placed on the sex offenders register for two years.
Sheriff Alistair Carmichael told her: “You pled guilty to a serious matter here.
“It is something which would often require a custodial sentence.
“I have to look at whether other options are available and in this case there are.
“I will impose a community payback order because of the exceptional circumstances involving mental health and various other reasons.”
Dundee Sheriff Court heard how Anderson was found with horrifying material on her phone including footage of a child aged around two years old being abused by an adult woman.
The teenager admitted downloading the video and a number of graphic still images, when she appeared at the court on a previous occasion.
The court was told Anderson had notes on her phone which referred to “baby torture” and “toddler murder”, among various other similar terms.
Fiscal depute Gavin Burton said: “A search warrant for the locus was granted and officers attended on 6 November last year.
“It was her grandmother’s address and the accused was traced.
“Several items were recovered including a USB hard drive, a computer tower and a mobile phone.
“During the search she said she wished to disclose information and was reminded she was under caution.
“She advised there were images of an indecent nature on one of the devices.”
Mr Burton said: “On 9 November a forensic computer analyst carried out an examination of a blue Samsung mobile phone.
“There was an indecent video of a male child, around two years old.
“There were at least seven indecent still images, of children from one to five years old, and they were category A, B and C.
“On 10 November the accused was arrested and conveyed to police HQ.
“She was cautioned and charged and made no response.”
Anderson, of Artillery Lane, Dundee, admitted downloading child abuse material at her home between August 24 and November 8 last year.
Her defence solicitor Anika Jethwa, told the court earlier this year: “Speaking to her mother, she clearly spent a long time on the computer and unfortunately became involved in these particular offences.
“It was initially chatting to people on various forums and it escalated from there.
“She appreciates she has put herself in an extremely serious position and has been very fearful about appearing in court.
“She accepts responsibility and culpability for this behaviour.
“She is hoping to get some assistance with these particular difficulties.
“She is anxious to get help.”
Anderson was placed under a community payback order for two years as a direct alternative to custody and has been ordered to attend the Tay Project for sex offenders.
She was also made subject to a conduct requirement, banning her from having contact with children, and restricting her access to the internet.
She has been banned from having more than one phone and computer and has been banned from installing history deleting software or third party apps without a supervising officer’s approval.
“She is hoping to get some assistance with these particular difficulties