A Moray sex offender’s attempt to gain early release from prison has been refused.
James Bradford was jailed for 12 months last year, after admitting downloading hundreds of obscene images of children.
But the Buckie 53-year-old lodged an appeal against his sentence, arguing it was too strict.
He took his case to the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh yesterday, but judges ruled he should remain behind bars until September as originally ordered to.
However, they quashed his 44-month extended sentence, which meant that he would be returned to jail if caught offending at any time up until May 2020.
Last night, a leading Scottish children’s charity commended the decision to keep him locked up.
Children 1st’s chief executive, Alison Todd, said downloading obscene images of children contributed directly towards their abuse.
She added: “It is important to remember that behind every image there’s a real child who has suffered abuse.
“The people who download them create further demand, which is met through further abuse of children.
“Being in possession of images of child sexual abuse is not a victimless crime.
“Sentencing should reflect the severity of the crime and send out a message that child abuse will not be tolerated.”
Bradford was locked up by Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov last September, after admitting downloading 283 indecent images of children between January 5, 2011, and September 23, 2015.
The court heard that 111 of the pictures were classed as “category A” – meaning they were at the most extreme end of the scale.
He also admitted that between December 14, 2011, and September 24, 2015, he downloaded extreme pornographic material featuring adults and animals.
His solicitor, Robert Cruickshank, described his client as “a bit of a misfit” as he sought mercy for him.
The lawyer said the timing of the offences coincided with the loss of the accused’s mother, with whom he was close.
He added: “He is quite lonely and a bit of a misfit, he certainly lives a very isolated life.”
But SHeriff Pasportnikov said the nature of the images downloaded meant that there was “no scope” for any sentence other than a custodial one.
