A Fife paedophile caught with almost four hours of vile child abuse videos will be under supervision and on the Sex Offenders Register for the next three years.
Jay Marshall previously admitted possessing and taking or making indecent photographs of children at a property in the Fife village of Kingskettle.
The 25-year-old appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court to be sentenced.
Marshall had the files from January 10 to January 21 last year, at which point police officers with confidential information attended at his home at 8.30am with a warrant.
Marshall handed over his Huawei mobile phone.
On the device, police found 220 indecent images of children, 198 of which were unique.
In total, 54 of the photographs were deemed to be depicting the most serious abuse.
Another 110 photographs were rated by police as Category B and 56 were deemed Category C.
Officers also found 93 different video files which, if played back-to-back, would run for three hours, 51 minutes and 16 seconds.
Of these, 73 were rated as Category A by police – the most vulgar abuse.
A further 16 were deemed Category B and four as Category C.
Alternative to custody
Marshall, now of Cowal Crescent in Glenrothes, was placed under supervision for three years and made subject to a string of strict conduct requirements as a direct alternative to prison.
He will be on the Sex Offenders Register for the same period of time.
Sheriff Alistair Carmichael also ordered Marshall to complete the Moving Forward: Making Changes programme, a behavioural course designed to provide treatment for men who commit sexual offences.
The sheriff also issued conditions Marshall only live in approved accommodation, have no contact with children under the age of 16 or access the internet without the permission of a supervisor.
He must also make any devices has capable of saving photos or videos available for inspection on request and must not delete his internet history.
Sheriff Carmichael said: “This was a serious offence, as I’m sure you know.
“It goes into the custody zone. I have to think about a custodial sentence.
“It’s a comprehensive report here, it’s very detailed.
“It’s left me satisfied that there is an alternative.”
