A man has dodged jail after admitting to sexual activity with a girl in his trust.

Alastair Niven Goldie, 49, appeared for sentencing on Thursday, October 19 after pleading guilty to the charge at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in August.

Goldie, now residing in Glencairn Square, Kilmarnock admitted to having sexual intercourse with a girl under 18 on various occasions between July 7, 2014 and March 22, 2016 at two addresses in Irvine.

Goldie admitted engaging in sexual intercourse while in a position of trust towards the girl, while being a member of the same household as the mother’s ex-partner.

Goldie was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for three years and given a Community Payback Order with supervision including 300 hours of unpaid work.

He was told he will partake in education on relationships and alcohol counselling.

Solicitor Colin McLaughlin told the court the relationship has been off for some time and Goldie had no intention of initiating contact with the complainer.

He said: “It’s an unusual case. He had a limited record until only about three or four years ago. Until then he was in a stable relationship and house. I think it’s fair to say his world ended. He lost his job, he lost his license. There were some family problems.

“Clearly with the offence a period of supervision would be beneficial for Mr Goldie to address any issue he might have with alcohol.

“He is anxious about custody. He has had experience of custody and it’s not an experience he wishes to revisit. He’s keen to get back into work and be successful.

“This offence will not be forgotten. It will be on his character. In short this is a man who has support issues.”

Sheriff Iona McDonald emphasised to Goldie he was in a position of trust during the period of the offence.

She said: “Mr Goldie you appeared at this court with four charges and you pled guilty to only charge four, and that is being in a position of trust with a certain young lady and you engaged in sexual activity with that lady who was under 18 at that time.

“The young lady said that this has had a very serious affect on her but I have to balance the nature of the charge and indeed the affect on the victim.

“The Criminal Justice Social Work Report suggests that I deal with this in a non-custodial manner.

“The discount Mr Goldie is that you’re not going to jail. That’s the maximum of my non-custodial powers. If you do not comply - these are a direct alternative to a custodial sentence - you will be brought back and you will be jailed.”