BRANDON WONDIN FROM ARDERSIER ESCAPES JAIL AFTER DOWNLOADING CHILD INDECENT MATERIALS IN INVERNESS

In a case that has drawn significant attention at Inverness Sheriff Court, 21-year-old Brandon Wondin, a resident of Station Road in Ardersier, narrowly avoided a custodial sentence after admitting to the possession and download of indecent videos and images depicting children. The court was informed that Wondin had accessed three videos and eight still images containing explicit content involving minors.

During the proceedings, the court heard that Wondin’s actions took place over a period spanning from October 2015 to January of the following year. The police had conducted a search of his residence on January 10 of the previous year, which led to the discovery of the illicit material. The videos, which had a combined duration of five minutes and fifteen seconds, depicted young boys estimated to be between the ages of seven and twelve.

In mitigation, Wondin’s defence solicitor, Neil Wilson, described his client as “immature” and emphasized that he had taken steps to address his issues by seeking treatment. Wilson explained that Wondin was “exploring his sexuality” and acknowledged that his actions were wrong. He further stated that the offences occurred during two brief periods when Wondin’s parents were away, and that his behaviour was part of a pattern of experimentation that could have escalated to more serious offences if left unchecked.

Wilson highlighted that Wondin expressed relief upon being caught, suggesting an awareness of the gravity of his actions. He argued that Wondin required intervention and counselling rather than punishment alone, emphasizing the importance of addressing underlying issues.

Prosecutor Roderick Urquhart provided details of the case, noting that the images and videos involved young boys and that the police search uncovered the material on Wondin’s iPhone. The court was told that the images and videos were of minors aged approximately between seven and twelve years old.

In her sentencing, Sheriff Margaret Neilson decided on a balanced approach. Wondin was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service, placed under supervision, and required to register as a sex offender for a period of three years. Additionally, he was mandated to participate in a sex offender’s rehabilitation programme, aiming to prevent any future offending and to support his reintegration into society.