A 67-year-old Kincardine man has avoided a jail term for sex offences involving children between 1975 and 1988.

John Smith, of Windyhill Avenue, admitted committing the crimes in Dunfermline and Newmills.

He preyed on girls as young as nine by exposing himself and masturbating, Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard.

Smith admitted that on various occasions between December 15, 1975 and November 2, 1978 at a house in Macbeth Road, Dunfermline, he used lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards a girl then aged 14 by masturbating in her presence.

He also admitted that on various occasions between September 2, 1986 and September 1, 1988 at Main Street, Newmills, he used lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards a girl then aged 14 by deliberately exposing his naked penis in her presence.

Smith further admitted that on various occasions between January 1, 1979 and December 31, 1981, at Macbeth Road he used lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards a girl aged nine by exposing his naked penis, touching his naked penis in her presence and masturbating.

Defence solicitor Gordon Martin said his client accepted it was “deplorable behaviour”.

He went on, “He’s deeply ashamed,” adding that his client suffered a heart attack after the matters came to light.

Sheriff Alastair Brown said it was “with a little hesitation” that he had decided not to impose a jail sentence.

Instead, he put Smith on a restriction of liberty order for six months. Smith will also be on the sex offenders register for five years.