NICHOLAS GARDNER FROM AVIEMORE CAUGHT WITH INDECENT CHILD IMAGES IN NAIRN

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Nicholas Gardner, a resident of Aviemore, was found to be in possession of indecent images depicting children aged between five and twelve years old. The disturbing discovery was made in connection with an incident that occurred at a residence on Clava Crescent in Nairn, spanning from October 9, 2018, to September 26, 2019.

Gardner, aged 45, appeared before Inverness Sheriff Court to face charges related to the possession of these illicit materials. The court was informed that investigators uncovered a total of ten still images of young girls in sexually explicit poses, along with one video, all stored on an electronic device linked to Gardner. The nature of these images has caused considerable concern among local residents and authorities alike.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Gardner had admitted to the offence. The case had initially been deferred to allow for a comprehensive background report to be prepared, which would assist in determining an appropriate sentence. The court heard that Gardner’s actions took place over a period of nearly a year, highlighting the ongoing nature of the offence.

In his defense, Neil Wilson, representing Gardner, emphasized that there was no sexual gratification involved in the possession of these images. He acknowledged the seriousness of the crime and stated, “There are no underlying issues and he knows he should not have done it.” Wilson also pointed out that Gardner demonstrated awareness of the gravity of his actions and the fact that this is not a victimless crime.

Ultimately, Sheriff Margaret Neilson handed down a sentence that included a community service order requiring Gardner to complete 100 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, she placed him under one year of social work supervision, emphasizing the importance of monitoring his conduct moving forward. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and judicial authorities to combat the distribution and possession of child exploitation material, and it serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children in communities across Scotland.