Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Man had abuse files on iPhone
AN Arbroath man will be kept under supervision for years for having child abuse files on his phone.
David Cook, 22, appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court to admit possession of the material.
Cook, of Shore in Arbroath, was placed on the sex offenders register for three years, ordered to complete a programme aimed at rehabilitating sex criminals and had his mobile phone forfeited.
Fiscal depute Stephanie Hendry told the court: “The accused and a witness (his partner) resided together at the locus having been in a relationship for around two years.
“At about 10.10am on September 14, police attended the locus and were afforded entry by the witness.”
Cook was picked up at work and police took him to the Shore flat and explained a search warrant.
Ms Hendry added: “A search was commenced and no devices were found to contain indecent images.
“The accused was searched and an iPhone was seized from his possession.”
That mobile was found to contain child abuse material and Cook was arrested.
He admitted taking or making the files between September 2016 and a week before the raid in 2022.
The case began life on petition but was reduced to a summary complaint.
His solicitor Billy Rennie explained around 10 images were recovered.
He said: “The number of images were relatively speaking very low.
“He has not been involved in file sharing with others.
“He’s not been involved in systematically using sophisticated measures of hiding these images.
“I think these are relevant factors for sentencing.
“The suggestion is for supervision for three years and work with the Tay Project.
“He takes no issue with any of this.”
Sheriff Garry Sutherland granted forfeiture of the phone and ordered Cook to complete the Tay Project.
The sheriff also placed Cook under supervision and on the sex offenders register for three years.
He imposed strict conduct requirements, including ordering him to only own one phone and one computer, make no efforts to conceal internet use and make his devices available for inspection.
He must have approval before using social media, contacting children under 18 and his accommodation and any work must also be passed.