A Fife folk band fiddler bombarded young girls with suggestive texts and Facebook messages, telling one she was “good looking and hot”, a court has heard.
Music tutor Ewan Stark’s sordid behaviour was uncovered after his then wife found a naked photo he had sent to one teenager and reported him to the police.
Officers subsequently discovered he had targeted four more girls, aged between 14 and 16, with the “wholly inappropriate” messages.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard that the 39-year-old’s Lomond Ceilidh Band colleagues kicked him out of the group when the allegations came to light and that his marriage had ended as a result.
Depute fiscal Susan Ruta told the court that Stark sent one 16-year-old a Facebook message asking what she was wearing, which the teenager thought was “a bit forward”.
Ms Ruta said: “They continued to message on Facebook for several days, exchanging mobile numbers.
“She thought he was very flirty and said he wanted to cuddle and have sex with her.”
The messages continued until December 2012, when she received a photo which showed Stark’s genitals.
Ms Ruta said: “The accused asked the complainer to return a naked picture of herself but she refused.
“The next day she got a phone call from the accused. He was very anxious and said his wife had found the naked picture he had sent,” said Ms Ruta.
Stark’s wife had checked his phone and discovered the photo after “rumours” over allegations against her husband.
The court was told that before the discovery, another girl, then aged 14, began receiving unwanted text messages from Stark, which she found “creepy and perverted”.
These included: “Are you going to wear your skimpy shorts?” and “I’m lying in bed thinking about you.”
Ms Ruta said: “She felt uncomfortable with these and showed all the texts to her mother.”
The court heard three other teenagers had received similar messages from Stark, who told one girl she was “good looking and hot”.
Gemma Miller, defending, said: “When the complainers took an interest in him he felt good being able to keep the conversation going and he felt like he mattered to them.
“He has lost friends, his marriage and his employment and was assaulted by the father of one of the complainers since this came to light.”
Stark, Backdykes Terrace, Falkland, admitted one charge of lewd, indecent and libidinous practices and behaviour and four charges under the Sexual Offences Scotland Act.
The offences took place between May 2009 and September 2014.
Sheriff Michael Wood deferred sentence until October 8 for reports and released Stark on bail.