A DEFENCE solicitor feared his teenage client would be forced to deal with issues he did not have if he was to be placed under supervision as a result of having sex with an underage girl.

Peter Mullin told Sheriff Craig McSherry that Dale Robertson had consensual sex with a 14 year-old girl when he was 16 years old at the time, which he said was not "hugely uncommon".

When persuading Sheriff McSherry not to sentence Robertson with a supervision order, Mr Mullin said he would worry that social workers would tell his client he was a "sexual menace" and he would reply by repeatedly telling them he wasn't.

Robertson, 19, previously admitted that between September 12 and 30, 2015, both dates inclusive at an his home address and at an address in Crosshill, he a person who had attained the age of 16 years, did on those occasions engage in penetrative sexual activity with or towards a child who had attained the age of 13 years but had not attained the age of 16 years, in that he did insert his penis into her vagina.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard on Wednesday that the accused and the complainer has been in a relationship and was only 14 years of age at the period detailed in the charge.

"They had consensual sex but given her age she was not in a position to consent," Deputy fiscal Alice Kirk said.

"This came known to the mother of the complainer who contacted the police.

"The complainer had become upset over the matter and told her mother because the accused had a liaison with another girl."

Mr Mullin said: "Their ages were similar, but she was under the age of consent.

"The incident seems to have grown arms and legs because there is a concern that Mr Robertson should be kept away from his niece because of the nature of the offence.

"I should say that this only came to light because the girl became aggravated at the fact he had a liaison with another girl and then the mother told the police."

Sheriff Craig McSherry said: "Whatever we say it's a statutory offence and it’s for politicians to decide what happens in these situations."

Sentence was deferred for good behaviour until October 31.