An Angus man caught with a haul of indecent images of children downloaded in a one-day spree has escaped a jail sentence.
Neil Beatt, 49, of Moir Place, Arbroath, previously admitted an indictment alleging that he had some 900 indecent images and 200 videos on a laptop at his home on October 1.
He returned to Forfar Sheriff Court on Tuesday for sentence.
Defence solicitor Hamish Watt said the conviction had already had a significant impact on the accused’s life.
“It is pretty clear from the reports before the court that he has come in for disappointment from his family, he lost his job initially and then a job following his last appearance in court,” he said.
Reports indicated Beatt was a “low risk” in terms of reoffending.
“Throughout his life he has been a worker and he now has temporary employment,” said Mr Watt.
The criminal justice report also said the accused was not suitable for a programme run by the Tay Project for sex offenders.
“He cooperated fully with police, he showed remorse, it was for a single day period and he has had his total life disrupted because of this isolated inquiry that he made,” added Mr Watt.
The reports, he added, had put the case into the “category of the lowest level of disposal for this type of offence”.
“He is fully aware of the implications for others. While it is a serious matter there are a large number of mitigatory factors here.”
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio told Beatt: “The reports are very favourable and indicate that it’s considered you do not require a programme requirement.
“The clear indication of the report is that he does not have a sexual interest in children.
“This is an offence which on every occasion has to be taken seriously by the court because of the harm that must arise on account of the interest in the sort of images involved in this case.
He imposed a one-year community payback order including 160 hours’ of unpaid work.