A 20-year-old Inverness Paedophile, Michael Fallows, was informed that downloading photographs of child exploitation did not constitute “a victimless crime,” but was still allowed to evade a prison sentence.
Michael Fallows, residing on Friars Street, Inverness, appeared for sentencing before Sheriff Gary Aitken after pleading guilty to possessing 142 pictures.
Inverness Sheriff Court was informed that 43 of the cases included the most severe forms of abuse.
The images were found on a Samsung device after police received intelligence that they had been downloaded on March 5, 2021.
Police raided the property at Montrose Mansions in Corpach and seized his phone.
Sentencing Michael Fallows to 150 hours of unpaid community work and two years of social work supervision, Sheriff Aitken said: “This is actual abuse of children watched second-hand and is not some Hollywood movie.
“It is commercial exploitation of children for sexual gratification and is fuelled by people like you surfing the net. Offending this kind is not victimless – far from it.”
Michael Fallows was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for two years, when he will be free to carry on his deviant ways.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.