An Angus pensioner who used sweets to incite two young sisters to expose themselves to him has been jailed for nine months.
The prison term will form part of a three-year extended sentence on Frederick Dewars, which was necessary to protect the public from a man social workers said has “entrenched beliefs” about young girls.
Dewars, who was convicted of another underage indecency offence in the 1990s, will also have his name added to the sex offenders register for 10 years.
The 72-year-old, of Old Halkerton Road, Forfar, appeared for sentence before Sheriff Kevin Veal at Forfar on Thursday, having previously admitted offences that happened at a former address elsewhere in Angus last year.
Dewars befriended a family and their daughters became visitors to his home.
He got one of the sisters to pull her trousers and pants down on four occasions, and the other to expose her chest, but suspicions were raised when one of the youngsters spoke about what he had done.
The NSPCC was contacted, and they, in turn, reported the matter to police.
Dewars told police he was an “opportunist” who would look but not touch, and he admitted giving the girls biscuits and sweets to undress.
Defence solicitor Nick Whelan said his client had been completely frank about his behaviour and thoughts towards youngsters, which was not always the case for such offenders.
He said sending the accused to prison would not address the “entrenched beliefs” highlighted in social work reports.
Sheriff Veal said the seriousness of the offences meant that custody was the only appropriate sentence.
“These offences involved children of young years whose parents Mr Dewars had befriended.
“This was a serious breach of trust and, because of a previous conviction for a not dissimilar offence in the 1990s, I consider custody the only appropriate disposal.
“It is also important that the public is protected in the longer term and he will be under licence for a period of 27 months.”
Conditions, including participation in the Tay Project for offenders and a ban on contact with anyone under 16, will be applied when he is released.