Fife perv avoids jail for second sex offence
A Fife man, who was caught with indecent images of children, has avoided a jail sentence.
Andrew Leitch admitted to police he had a sexual interest in children and a court heard he had a previous conviction for a similar offence.
Officers carried out a search warrant at the home of Leitch (53), of Montrose Green, Glenrothes.
Electronic devices were seized and the child porn images found, one involving an infant.
Leitch appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
He previously admitted that between 29th August and 25th October last year at his home he was in possession of indecent photographs of children.
He also admitted that between the same dates he downloaded indecent photographs of children.
Depute fiscal Claire Bremner previously told the court that Leitch was at home when police arrived to carry out the search.
The images found included an adult male performing oral sex on a boy aged between three and five years.
There were also images of girls aged 7 to 12 in erotic poses.
Leitch initially claimed he had may have accidentally downloaded indecent images but later “said he had a sexual interest in children” added the depute.
Sheriff Charles MacNair previously commented, “It’s quite unusual to find a second offence of this nature which makes it very serious.”
When he called for reports in June, Sheriff MacNair granted bail but warned Leitch, “That is no indication of what will happen at the end of the day.”
When he returned for sentencing, Leitch was given a community-based disposal without unpaid work or a restriction of liberty order.
Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed a community payback order with three years’ supervision and Leitch will take part in a groupwork programme. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for three years.