CONNOR SANGSTER FROM ARBROATH SENTENCED AFTER REPEATED CHILD ABUSE VIDEO OFFENSES IN DUNDEE

In a case that has once again brought the disturbing issue of child exploitation to the forefront, Connor Sangster, a 27-year-old resident of Arbroath, has been subjected to a new community-based sentence following his repeated involvement in the possession and download of illegal child abuse material. The proceedings took place at Dundee Sheriff Court, where the court grappled with the seriousness of his offenses and the implications of his ongoing behavior.

It was revealed that Sangster had been engaged in the illegal activity since he was just 17 years old. Over the years, he accumulated a staggering amount of nearly 700 hours of disturbing videos and images depicting child abuse. Despite previous interventions and supervision, he was found to have downloaded an additional 34 hours of such material while still under the watch of social workers, a clear indication that his behavior persisted despite prior warnings and restrictions.

During the hearing, Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown acknowledged Sangster’s apparent progress and chose to avoid immediate imprisonment, citing that his offenses overlapped with existing court-imposed support measures which had not yet fully taken effect. She emphasized that her decision was influenced by the fact that he was making some efforts to comply, and she expressed a cautious optimism about his rehabilitation prospects.

The prosecution, represented by the Fiscal depute, detailed how Police Scotland had received confidential intelligence linking Sangster’s Google account to illegal uploads. An investigation uncovered a disturbing cache of 443 images and 227 videos, categorized as A, B, and C, featuring children aged between three and twelve. These materials were found stored across various devices, including his phone, laptop, and SD card, and spanned a period from August 2013 to October 2022.

Sangster admitted to possessing and downloading this illicit content over a long duration, acknowledging his involvement in the activity. The court heard that he had been engaged in this behavior for nearly a decade, which underscores the persistent nature of his offending.

As part of his sentence, Sheriff Martin-Brown ordered Sangster to serve three years of supervised release, requiring him to remain on the Sex Offenders Register for three years. Additionally, he was mandated to complete 200 hours of community service and to participate in programs offered by the Tay Project, aimed at addressing his offending behavior. The sheriff noted that Sangster’s social work report was “very positive,” highlighting that he had made significant progress in his unpaid work and had completed most of his community service hours already. She also pointed out that the latest sentence would extend his supervision period by an extra six months, ensuring continued oversight.

This case is not Sangster’s first encounter with the law concerning child exploitation. Previously, he was convicted after a police raid at his family home, which was prompted by a tip-off. During that raid, officers discovered a vast collection of nearly 5,000 abusive videos. Sangster reportedly told officers at the time, “I won’t waste your time. You will find what you are looking for. It’s on my phone, laptop, and SD card.” His admission to possessing such material led to restrictions on his internet access and prohibited him from having unsupervised contact with minors, measures that aimed to prevent further offenses but evidently did not fully deter his behavior.

Despite the court’s efforts to impose strict penalties, Sangster’s case highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing and rehabilitating individuals involved in child exploitation crimes, especially when such offenses span many years and involve significant quantities of illegal material. The community and authorities continue to grapple with the best ways to prevent recidivism and protect vulnerable children from harm.