Social media use by a repeat sex offender from Angus was described as the most flagrant breach seen by a sheriff.
At Forfar Sheriff Court Scott Bell was told by Sheriff Gregor Murray his case had caused the sheriff “considerable difficulty from a sentencing point of view” because of the lack of protection the public would receive if he was sent behind bars for only a short spell.
The 28-year-old was put on the notification register for three years when he appeared for sentencing on Thursday.
Appearing on indictment, Bell, of Restenneth Drive, Forfar, had admitted breaking the strict terms of a three-year supervision order imposed at Dundee Sheriff Court in late 2017, after he was caught with indecent images of children at a property in Forfar the previous year.
That offence followed a conviction almost a decade earlier when he was placed on the sex offenders register for sending sexual messages to 13 and 14-year-olds.
If you are concerned about what you are looking at online, or the online behaviour of someone you know, you can call the confidential and anonymous ‘Stop It Now’ helpline on 0808 1000 900 for advice, support and help to stop – or visit get-help.stopitnow.org.uk/ to find out more.
For the full story, see The Courier website.
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