BRORA MAN MARK WAUD SENTENCED IN INVERNESS FOR INDECENT IMAGES AND VIDEOS OF CHILDREN

In a serious case that has shocked the community of Brora, Mark Waud, a 56-year-old resident of Ardachu, was sentenced to 10 months in prison after being found guilty of possessing a significant collection of indecent images and videos depicting young children. The conviction was handed down at Inverness Sheriff Court, marking a grim chapter in the ongoing fight against child exploitation.

Waud's criminal activity spanned nearly eight years, with the police uncovering his illicit collection during a raid on his home approximately 18 months prior to the sentencing. The investigation revealed that he had stored a total of 138 indecent images and 16 videos, all of which involved minors. These materials were distributed across five different electronic devices, which were found to be easily accessible to him at the time of the raid.

The court was informed that the images and videos were categorized based on their severity. Of the total images, 33 were classified as Category A, indicating the most serious and explicit content involving children. An additional 48 images fell into Category B, while 57 were categorized as Category C, representing the least explicit material. Among the videos, six were deemed Category B, and four were in Category C, further illustrating the disturbing nature of the collection.

Waud's case was initially scheduled for sentencing at Tain Sheriff Court on Monday, April 8. However, the case was transferred to Inverness at the request of the authorities, where Sheriff Fleetwood presided over the proceedings. In addition to his prison sentence, Waud was also ordered to be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a period of ten years, a measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities post-release.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies in the Highlands to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from harm. The community of Brora and the wider Highland region will undoubtedly be affected by the details of this disturbing case, which highlights the importance of vigilance and swift judicial action in such matters.