A "DESPICABLE" man who showed two teenagers sexual images on his phone while on a bus journey between Helensburgh and Kilcreggan has been put on the sex offenders register.

Graham Dempsey, of Fairfield Gardens, Kilcreggan, was on the bus a year ago when he caused two 15-year-old girls to look at a sexual image while engaging in conversation with them.

The 57-year-old pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to two charges of intentially causing the girls to look at a sexual image on September 13, 2022.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court on September 5, the full details of what happened in were presented to the sheriff, but were not read out in open court, so they remain a secret.

Defence solicitor Kenny McGowan said: "The matter resolved without witnesses having to give evidence.

"He has acknowledged that the matter is a significant one.

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"There is a genuine effort on his part to acknowledge his guilt and the serious nature of the incident, and the view the court will take of these offences.

"The social work department clearly feel they can work with Mr Dempsey."

He added that his client understood the notification requirements of being on the sex offenders register.

Sheriff Clair McLachlan said: "There is very little that can be said in mitigation of these offences."

She called Dempsey's behaviour "despicable" and said it "must have been distressing" to the girls.

The sheriff added: "I'm taking you at your word that this is a one-off."

She imposed a community payback order (CPO), with social work supervision for 18 months.

Dempsey must do 236 hours of unpaid work in the community in that time.

He will be on the sex offenders register for the duration of the CPO - which was imposed as a direct alternative to prison.

"If you don't comply, chances are you are back here facing a custodial sentence," the sheriff added.