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News / ‘Tens of thousands’ of indecent images of children

A FIFTY eight year old man who admitted possessing thousands of indecent images of children has been warned that he is “most likely” facing a custodial sentence.

Stephen Bell, of Sandside Road, Mossbank, pleaded guilty to taking or permitting to be taken indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children and possessing indecent photos of children with a view to them being distributed or shown by himself or others.

The offences took place between 1 February 2011 and 1 February 2016 at his home address or elsewhere.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday that the offences involved “tens of thousands of images”. A fuller narrative will be given when Bell’s defence agent Tommy Allan is present, with the case due back in court on 5 July.

Sheriff Philip Mann said they were “very serious offences” and warned Bell that, while it was not inevitable, he should be prepared for a jail term.

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