A KELTY man who exchanged online sexual message with a 13 year-old boy and got him to carry out a sex act while he watched was placed on a restriction of liberty order this week.

Appearing for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court on Wednesday, David Angus (26), of Blairadam, Kelty, had previously admitted that on May 14 2015, he intentionally send a sexual written communication to a 13 year old boy.

He exchanged messages of a sexual nature with the boy and asked him to masturbate while a web camera or similar was trained on him while he watched.

Defence solicitor, Alexander Flett, said Angus' family remained supportive of him and his wife was with him in Court.

Sheriff Charles Macnair told Angus the offence was of a very unpleasant and serious nature.

"In particular, having regard to the difference in age between you and the victim," he said.

"In my view, it must have been pretty clear to you what was said that you were speaking to a child.

"This sort of behaviour cannot be tolerated. He was a child and children require protection from others and from themselves and their naivety and immaturity cannot be preyed upon by adults."

Angus was sentenced to a restriction of liberty order for four months, placed on a Community Payback Order with a supervision requirement for three years and ordered to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work.

He was also put on the sex offenders register for five years and warned by Sheriff Macnair that if he committed any further offences of this nature, he could expect a "significant" custodial sentence.