AN IRVINE man has appeared in court to face four charges in relation to child sexual offences.

Robert Brechin, 70, submitted no plea when he appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court for the first time on Friday, September 15.

It's understood that his court appearance comes after he was arrested in Kilbirnie on September 13.

Three of the charges are under sections of the Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2009.

Mr Brechin is accused of causing a child under the age of 13 to participate in a sexual activity.

This charge alleges that "for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, humilating, distressing or alarming a person under the age of 13", he observed a child "doing a private act".

A further charge alleges that Mr Brechin also intentionally caused a child, who was 13 or older but still under 16, to participate in a sexual activity.

He is also accused of recording this child "doing a private act", with the intention of enabling himself or another person to view it - again "for the purpose of obtaining sexual gratification, humilating, distressing or alarming" the child.

The final charge alleges that Mr Brechin was also in possession of indecent photographs, or psuedo-photographs with a view to their being distributed or shown by himself or others.

Mr Brechin was committed for further examination and was released on bail until his next appearance at a later date.