A pensioner who incited two girls to remove their clothing in exchange for sweets and biscuits has been warned he is facing a jail sentence.
Frederick Dewars described himself to police as an “opportunist” during questioning about the offences against the young girls, who were regular visitors to his Angus home.
The 72-year-old has now been placed on the sex offenders register ahead of sentencing next month, but was told by a sheriff a previous offence of indecent assault in the 1990s meant there was “every likelihood” he will go to prison.
Dewars, of Old Halkerton Road, Forfar, appeared before Sheriff Kevin Veal at Forfar on Thursday, when he admitted an indictment alleging two charges relating to offences between January and March last year at a former address elsewhere in Angus.
He pleaded guilty to inducing one of the girls to participate in sexual activity and pull her trousers and pants down on four occasions, and on another single occasion inducing the other to expose her chest.
Fiscal depute Hannah Kennedy said Dewars befriended the girls and their family and they would visit his home to watch TV.
Last March, one of the victims showed a reluctance to go to his home and said they did not like to stay there because he told them to pull down their pants and lift up their tops.
The NSPCC was contacted and the matter was reported to police.
Initially the victims were extremely upset, but told investigating officers what had happened and the accused was detained. He admitted he had given them sweets and biscuits, and while he recognised it was inappropriate behaviour, he could not say why he did it.
Ms Kennedy said: “He described himself as an opportunist that would look but not touch. He admitted that he would look at girls about nine or 10 years old, and that he had been on a course for those type of thoughts, adding that he tried to keep children at arm’s length.”
Sheriff Veal deferred sentence until April 24 for social work reports to be obtained.
“Having regard to the fact that the previous conviction before the court is one of indecent assault, there is every likelihood that a sentence of custody will be imposed in this case,” he said.