A PERVERTED pensioner remains behind bars after sexual communications and sending an explicit picture to what he believed to be a child.

Derek Howard, 76, pled guilty to two sexual offence allegations when he returned to court last week [Monday, November 21].

Howard, whose address is listed as HMP Kilmarnock, was arrested and charged for attempted sexual communications with an older child – following a sting from Irvine-based Team Shades members on Sunday, July 21.

Howard admitted repeatedly sending sexually explicit messages to a girl called ‘Kerri’ – who he believed to be between 13 and 16 – on various occasions between July 11 and July 18 this year.

He also admitted attempting to make a child view a sexual image after sending a picture of his member on July 15.

A not guilty plea to being caught attempting to meet a child in Dean Park on July 18 was accepted by prosecutors.

Howard was sentenced to 19 months behind bars – which will be backdated to July, 19 when he was first remanded. He was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

A spokesperson from Team Shades said: “We are appalled at the sentencing for this man.”