STEPHEN PENNEY FROM CARRICK FERGUS AND LERWICK SHEETLAND FACES SUPERVISION FOR INDECENT PICTURE REQUESTS

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Carrick Fergus, Lerwick, and the wider Shetland area, a man named Stephen Penney has been subjected to strict legal measures following his involvement in a disturbing series of incidents involving indecent image requests and inappropriate conduct.

In November 2013, Penney, aged 45 at the time, appeared in court after pleading guilty to two separate charges of breaching the peace, which occurred on the 21st of June earlier that year. The court proceedings revealed a troubling pattern of behavior that targeted young women in Shetland, specifically in Lerwick, the main town of the archipelago.

The first incident involved Penney approaching a woman as she was entering Frank Williamson’s hardware shop located on Lerwick’s Commercial Road. During this encounter, he displayed an image of a naked 12-year-old girl to her, asking whether she would be interested in such material. This act of indecency left the victim shocked and distressed, prompting her to immediately walk away and contact the police authorities to report the incident.

Less than ten minutes later, on the same street, Penney approached a 15-year-old girl and propositioned her to pose for an indecent photograph in exchange for a sum of ten pounds. The young victim was understandably disturbed by the encounter, and she too contacted law enforcement officials to report the incident. Both victims' reactions underscored the severity of Penney’s actions and the impact they had on those targeted.

Following these events, the court heard that Penney left Shetland the very next day, which complicated the investigation. He was unaware that he was being formally charged until a letter arrived at his residence in Donaldson’s Avenue, Carrick Fergus, County Antrim. The legal proceedings were temporarily deferred to allow for reports to be prepared, with the judge, Sheriff Lorna Drummond, scheduling a further hearing for Thursday.

During the hearing, Penney’s defense attorney, Tommy Allan, explained that his client had not been questioned by police before leaving Shetland, as he was unaware of the charges at the time. Allan described the arrival of the legal notice as a shock that threw Penney’s family life into turmoil. He emphasized that Penney, who was a first-time offender with no prior criminal record and was generally considered to have good character, had no clear explanation for his actions other than being under significant stress at the time.

It was also revealed that Penney had been signed off work, although he was not undergoing any medication or psychiatric treatment. His lawyer described the impact of the allegations on him as “pretty catastrophic,” but noted that his family remained supportive. Penney expressed deep remorse for his conduct, acknowledging the harm caused.

In her sentencing remarks, Sheriff Drummond acknowledged that Penney’s actions would have caused considerable distress to his victims. However, she also recognized that his behavior appeared to be “out of character.” Based on recommendations from social workers, she ordered that Penney participate in a three-year supervision program aimed at addressing and understanding his offending behavior. Additionally, she mandated that he be placed on the sex offenders register and placed under a three-year supervision order, which would include regular monitoring and support to prevent future incidents.