Jail for man who downloaded images of ‘extremely young’ children

A man who downloaded thousands of indecent images of “extremely young” children has been given an extended four-year sentence.

David William Bruce, 57, appeared in the dock at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday. It follows an earlier appearance at which he admitted charges that he did take or permit to be taken or make indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children.

The offences occurred between 2nd August 2008 and 25th October 2017.

Bruce, of Voderview, Lerwick, was found to possess almost 50,000 images and 56 videos, including in the most serious category.

He will serve 28 months in custody with the remaining 20 months on licence. He was also told that he will remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

An earlier court hearing heard that a total of 10 “laptop and tablet devices” were seized when police searched Bruce’s property along with 12 mobile phones and seven memory cards. Another phone was seized by officers when Bruce was taken to Lerwick Police Station.

At the sentencing hearing a Crown motion to have the seized equipment forfeited was granted.