AN ALLOA pensioner will be sentenced next month after he admitted asking a 12-year-old girl if he could take naked pictures of her.

John Paton (66) pleaded guilty to intentionally directing a sexual verbal communication to the youngster while she was in his home last year.

He appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday (19 March); however, sentence was further deferred to allow social workers to re-examine the facts of the case.

Depute fiscal Marie-Claire Chaffey said Paton had been looking after the complainer and her friend at his house on Whins Road on 13 September 2014.

She said: “The complainer was in the living room while her friend was in the other room. The door was open so she could hear what was being said in the other room.

“The accused then turned to the complainer and asked, ‘is it OK if I take some pictures of you without your clothes to keep?’ “The complainer said no and went into the other room to her friend who then confirmed she had heard what was said. She then texted her mum and she told the girls to leave immediately and make their way to her house.” Mrs Chaffey said that Paton had broadly admitted the circumstances of the offence when police later questioned him.

When they arrived at his door, he asked them if it was in relation to what ‘he had said to the girls?’ He told officers: “I had my camera and I said to them it would be better if they were nude.” After being cautioned, he told police: “I’m sorry for what I said; I know I shouldn’t have. Sometimes I say things without thinking.

“I only said it because the two of them had stolen my money.” Paton’s defence agent Laura Jackson said her client has little recollection of the events due to memory problems.

She said: “He doesn’t remember saying these things, but doesn’t feel the girl is lying. He does remember apologising to her afterwards, though.” Paton was told to expect a community-based sentence, with an emphasis on supervision, when the case re-calls next month.

Sheriff David Mackie said: “My impression is that a community payback order would be an appropriate disposal here.

“But I would like for the social workers to be given a transcript of the narrative read out here today to give them the opportunity to make any amendments to their recommendations.” Paton will re-appear at Alloa Sheriff Court on 16 April for sentencing.

**The Advertiser has become aware that there two John Patons of the same age living in Alloa. To clarify, the above article does not refer to Mr Paton who resides at Menteith Court. The reason why we publish the street address of those within court proceedings is to avoid defaming anyone else in the county who may have the same name.