EWAN BROWN INVERNESS SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION AND COMMUNITY ORDER AFTER VIEWING CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

A 19-year-old man from Inverness, Ewan Brown, found himself in serious legal trouble after it was revealed that he had downloaded and viewed a disturbing collection of images depicting the sexual abuse of young children. The court proceedings shed light on Brown’s actions and his attitude towards the crimes, which have sparked concern among legal authorities and the community alike.

According to court reports, Brown admitted to downloading a total of 63 still images of children aged between two and eight years old onto his mobile phone over a period from October 14 to October 21, 2022. The police investigation was initiated after intelligence suggested suspicious activity, leading officers to conduct a raid on Brown’s residence in Inverness. During the search, they seized his mobile device, which Brown cooperated with by providing the PIN code.

During questioning, Brown made partial admissions, explaining that he was initially searching for what he described as 'normal pornography.' However, he admitted that when he clicked on certain links, they directed him to websites containing indecent images of children. He further disclosed that he had screenshotted and downloaded both images and videos, claiming that his intention was to report these materials to the authorities. Despite this claim, Brown did not follow through with any reporting, citing feelings of guilt and fear of getting into trouble as reasons for his inaction.

The court was also informed that Brown’s attitude towards his actions was dismissive. In a confidential report, Brown told a social worker, “It’s no big deal. I should not be in the criminal justice system. It has been blown out of proportion.” This statement was read aloud by Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald, who emphasized the seriousness of the case and the need for intervention.

Addressing Brown directly, Sheriff Macdonald expressed her concern about individuals like him who view vile images of children being abused, often seeking sexual gratification from such material. She stated, “I never understand that,” and made it clear that such actions are a significant matter. The sheriff highlighted that Brown, who resides on Cedarwood Crescent in Inverness, is a young man who requires help to address his behavior.

In light of his age and circumstances, Sheriff Macdonald decided against sending Brown to prison. Instead, she imposed a community payback order with supervision for a period of three years. Additionally, Brown was placed on the ‘Moving Forward to Change’ program, which is specifically designed for individuals who view such images and seek sexual gratification from them. To further address the risk posed by his actions, Brown was also placed on the sex offender’s register for three years, ensuring ongoing monitoring and support.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and judicial authorities to combat the distribution and viewing of child abuse images, as well as the importance of rehabilitation and community-based interventions for offenders like Ewan Brown in Inverness.