Sex offender fails to appear
A missing Motherwell sex offender has been in contact with his lawyers, it has emerged.
Keith Ross disappeared four days after admitting a child porn charge at Hamilton Sheriff Court last month.
He was on bail awaiting sentence and had been put on the sex offenders register.
He was due to be sentenced on Friday but police revealed on June 11 that he was missing and said they were concerned for his welfare.
Ross, 28, of Highfield Crescent, failed to appear at court on Friday. Background reports and a risk assessment had been ordered but social workers told the court Ross had not kept his appointment.
Solicitor Matthew McGovern told Sheriff Marie Smart:“He has been in contact with us in the past month.
“He was advised to attend court this morning and I have no more information.”
Sheriff Smart issued a warrant for Ross’s arrest.
Two police officers assigned to the missing person case were in court in the hope Ross would turn up.
He could be in breach of the sex offenders register requirements by not informing police of his whereabouts.
Ross, who once entertained children with a collection of exotic animals, was caught with more than 1600 indecent images of youngsters.
He also admitted having 3029 images depicting“extreme pornography” involving humans and animals.
Last year Ross was jailed for 18 months at the same court when he admitted neglect charges relating to exotic pets.
He had a collection which included snakes, scorpions, turtles and lizards.