Admits breaching register rules

A Perthshire man, whose name was put on the Sex Offenders’ Register for an historic incident involving a young child more than 15 years ago, failed to complete his notification requirements with police within the proper time frame.

The incident cost 42-year-old Robert Compton, now of Sydney Crescent, Auchterarder, a £200 fine when he appeared for sentence at Perth Sheriff Court.

His lawyer, David Holmes, submitted that it had been a “genuine error”.

Compton admitted that between February 23, 2016, and the same date the following year, he didn’t comply with the requirements of the 2003 Sexual Offences Act.

The court was told that he hadn’t completed his “periodic notification” within the prescribed time.

His name was added to the register for five years after he was convicted after trial of using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards a youngster who was aged just seven at the time.

The offence took place on one occasion at a house in Rattray various social media websites.

One of the charges alleged that at an address in Longforgan, he incited a 13-year-old girl to be involved in prostitution “in any part of the world” by directing her to engage in self-gratification whilst being recorded on video via Skype.

Mr Wilson didn’t appear personally at Perth Sheriff Court as he was said to be taking his final exams at university.

A lawyer tendered a not guilty plea on his behalf to a total of 49 charges which allegedly involved eight young girls - three aged 12, two aged 13, two aged 14 and one 15-year-old.

They are said to have taken place on various occasions between September 2015 and June 2016.

Mr Wilson is also accused of taking or making indecent photographs of children, having them in his possession and distributing or showing them to others.

Depute fiscal John Malpass said the alleged victims were from across Scotland, England and Wales.

Some will give evidence remotely via video link if the case proceeds to trial.

That has been scheduled for August 14, with an earlier hearing set for August 1.