AARON RYAN BREACHES SEXUAL HARM PREVENTION ORDER IN MONTROSE - CAUGHT WITH PORNOGRAPHY ON PHONE

Police in Montrose took action after discovering that Aaron Ryan had violated the terms of his strict sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) during a routine check of his mobile device. The incident occurred in March 2024 when officers responded to reports of Ryan causing a disturbance at a Tesco supermarket in Montrose. Despite his previous convictions and the conditions of his SHPO, Ryan was found in possession of a phone that contained explicit material, which was a clear breach of the court-mandated restrictions.

Ryan, aged 26, was under a seven-year SHPO imposed in 2021, which explicitly forbade him from possessing any devices capable of internet access without prior approval. The order was a result of his earlier offences, and it included strict conditions such as prohibiting private or incognito browsing modes, requiring him to report any new devices to supervising officers, and banning the installation of encrypted software. These measures were designed to prevent him from accessing inappropriate content and to monitor his online activity.

On the day in question, police officers responded to a call at Tesco in Montrose, where Ryan was reportedly causing a nuisance but was not engaged in any criminal activity at that moment. When officers approached him, they requested his personal details and asked to examine his phone. During the inspection, an officer observed Ryan’s browsing history, which revealed the use of a VPN (virtual private network) and the presence of pornographic material. Ryan responded to his arrest by claiming, “I honestly didn’t understand my bail conditions,” indicating a lack of awareness or understanding of the restrictions placed upon him.

It was revealed during the court proceedings that Ryan had previously been jailed for other offences last year. After his release in February 2024, just three days later, he was found in possession of an illegal phone capable of internet access at Montrose railway station. This was a breach of a bail condition set at Forfar Sheriff Court in April of the previous year. The breach demonstrated a pattern of non-compliance with court orders and highlighted ongoing issues with his conduct.

Legal representatives, including solicitor Keith Sym, explained that Ryan struggles with alcohol dependency and has limited recollection of the events in March 2024. Sym stated that Ryan handed over his phone immediately when police arrived, and the evidence of the breach was subsequently uncovered. The solicitor also noted that Ryan was suffering from depression and anxiety, which contributed to his poor decision-making, including heavy drinking. Sym emphasized that Ryan was unaware that his phone, acquired in February, had internet capabilities, suggesting a lack of understanding about the device’s features.

Ryan resides on Southesk Terrace in Brechin and maintains a close relationship with a partner he has been with for three years. He is regularly visited by the offender management unit, which monitors his compliance with court orders. Sheriff Alastair Carmichael stated that additional background reports would be obtained before sentencing, which is scheduled for April. Meanwhile, Ryan was placed on the sex offenders register on an interim basis, reflecting the seriousness of his breaches and the potential for further legal consequences.