A MAN who exposed his buttocks to a group of children after being harassed by the youngsters has been placed on the sex offenders register.

Thomas Pollock pleaded guilty to four charges earlier this year and appeared at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week for sentencing.

The 44-year-old admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing at a group of children in Sundrum Place, Kilwinning on June 4, 2021.

He was also hit with a charge of public indecency on the same day, while on June 19, at Glenapp Place, he shouted and swore at a woman and at police officers.

Finally, on September 13, outside Pennyburn Primary School, he shouted and swore at teachers and behaved in an aggressive manner, all in the presence of a group of children.

Pollock, of Canal Street in Saltcoats, was said to have acted the way he did “in response to insults”.

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His defence solicitor, Gordon Ghee, told last Thursday’s hearing: “He was targeted for some reason in the community. He is not mentally equipped to deal with this.

“He is a single man with certain and fairly obvious difficulties.

“After having taken drink this was how he reacted.”

Sheriff Colin Bissett told Pollock: “You are someone who has significant mental health problems and I do take that into account but a lot of this is a result of choices you have made such as taking alcohol.

“I also have to think about the public interest and what might be done to prevent you from offending like this in future.

“It seems to me that there is help available. I want you to understand that you need to get yourself straightened out.”

Pollock was placed under supervision for a period of two years and will be subject to sex offender notification requirements for the same length of time. He must also carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.