'Tormented soul' given chance to address health issues in his life

A MAN who stored indecent pictures of children on his two computers has escaped a jail sentence.
Sheriff Andrew Berry told Liam Stewart at Wick, that he did not think a custodial sentence would be appropriate.
The sheriff gave Stewart, 25, a chance to address his health difficulties by making him subject to three years supervision. The accused will also take part in in the cognative behaviour programme, Moving On.
The court heard previously that police who raided Stewart's home in Main Street, Lybster village, on April 29, 2014
found one of his computers with three files on it and a second computer with four images and a video.
Solicitor George Mathers described Stewart as "an extremely vulnerable young man" who suffered from a depressive illness.
Mr Mathers said a background report on the accused used the term- "a tormented soul".
He had developed feelings of guilt over the indecent images which led to mental health problems.
Said Mr Mathers: "He has expressed relief that it has all come out and that he will get the help and treatment he requires. He has been extremely unhappy for a long time."
Since the matter had come to light, Stewart, described as a man of some intelligence, had "completed isolated himself" in his home, with the exception of trips to supermarket.
Added Mr Mathers: "He has been extremely abject about this offence and simply wants to move on."
Sentencing Stewart, Sheriff Berry said that allowing him to address the outstanding issues in his life was more important than getting him to carry out unpaid community work.
Stewart was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for three years. His two computers were ordered to be forfeit.