A LOCHORE man who downloaded child pornography over a period of almost three years has avoided a jail sentence.

John Fraser, 66, of Balbedie Avenue, was found guilty by a jury after a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last month.

Between March 1, 2012 and February 5, 2015 at his home, he took or permitted to be taken or made indecent photographs of children.

Fraser returned to Court for sentencing having expressed no remorse for his actions as he was still denying the offence.

Defence solicitor, Chris Sneddon, said: “He maintains his position but he clearly recognises the significance of the conviction and the strength of the evidence against him.”

Mr Sneddon said that other than this matter his client had led a “blameless life” in society and was a “low-risk of re-offending”.

He added that Fraser’s family was still supporting him.

The solicitor called for a non-custodial sentence so that his client “could piece his life back together”.

Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed a community payback order with 24 months’ supervision and 300 hours of unpaid work.

Fraser has also been put on the sex offenders register.