Pervert caught with child porn

An Ayr man was caught with indecent photos of children just five days after being put on the sex offenders’ register.

Charles Lees, who was supposed to inform police of any change of address, then moved to Birmingham without telling them.

Lees, 37, appeared via videolink at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week.

He admitted downloading indecent images of children and failing to notify police within three days of his new address. The court heard he was placed on the sex offenders’ register at Ayr Sheriff Court on October 10.

Police from the offenders’ management unit visited his flat in Campbell Court, Ayr, on October 15.

They checked his mobile phone and found an indecent image of a girl aged about 12. Detailed examination of the device followed and a further 12 indecent images of girls and one video were discovered.

Lees was charged and appeared in court, but was then released on bail.

Kim McGregor, prosecuting, said: “A social worker went to his home on January 22, but there was no trace of him. He was contacted by phone and said he had moved to Birmingham to be closer to his adoptive parents and did not intend to return to Scotland.

“Lees was told he should have notified the police within three days of his move. He said he had been going to the police station to do that, but encountered roadworks and just went home.”

Ms McGregor said police officers traced Lees to an address in Birmingham.

Sheriff Desmond Leslie deferred sentence until May 20 for background reports.

Lees, who has been in custody since February 3, remains behind bars.