A PERVERT has been placed on the sex offenders register after showing porn to a child on a fishing boat.

John Donald Cree, of Irvine’s Dalrymple Place, also received 125 hours of unpaid work when he appeared for sentencing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week.

Cree, 64, had previously admitted making a 10-year-old girl look at pornographic images while they were both onboard a fishing boat near Millport Harbour between June 28, 2016 and August 20, 2016.

The bearded, bespectacled, former Cumbrae and Pennyburn resident also pled guilty to making a comment of a sexual nature to the same child.

At a footpath near to the Kelburn Bar in Millport, Cree also made a comment of a sexual nature to another girl, aged nine, on September 22 of last year.

When he returned to the dock for sentencing on Thursday, February 15, Cree’s solicitor admitted his client's explanation for the offences wasn’t ‘a very good one’.

Defence Solicitor Paul Gallagher said: “Mr Cree does accept responsibility for these offences, and the consequences.

“In my discussions with him he does know they are of some gravity and involving children.

“How he found himself in the situation, and his explanation, is not a very good one.

“He is 64 with no previous convictions, his income is by way of benefits.

“My invitation to your Lordship is to give consideration to a Community Payback Order with a period of supervision. I’ve also discussed with Mr Cree the option of an unpaid work order.

“Mr Cree is aware these offences could result in a custodial sentence."

The defence added that Cree had not since returned to the location of the offences.

Sheriff Hanlon highlighted the seriousness of the ‘concerning’ offences but said he would avoid a period of imprisonment.

“There is a focus on supervision in the report and it is for that reason that I’m going to step back from a custodial sentence.

“The reports indicate there might have to be a significant period of work before you realise the seriousness.”

Cree was given a Community Payback Order including 125 hours of unpaid work to be completed within a period of six months.

He will also have to take part in the Moving Forward Making Changes programme and given supervision for three years.

He was placed on the sex offenders register for three years.