Police are launching a bid to prevent a sex offender from committing further crimes.
The force is set to take a civil action against 42-year-old Gerald Niven, of Dundee’s Woodside Terrace.
It follows a number of convictions or allegations made against Niven involving sexual activity towards women and children.
Niven was sentenced to two years in prison in 2011 after he had made arrangements to meet a child.
He was also placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard at the time that he had intended to engage in sexual activity with the youngster. Prosecutors revealed that Niven would pay the youngster £180 to allow him to belt the youngster on the behind and hands.
Niven later lost a bid to have his sentence cut, despite claiming it was excessive.
Meanwhile, last year, several allegations were made against Niven relating to claims that he had asked youngsters to send them photos of themselves via social media.
He was acquitted of the charges after a motion of ‘no case to answer’ was upheld.
Now, Police Scotland wants to impose a five-year sexual offences prevention order (SOPO) on Niven.
It’s understood that an interim order against Niven is already in place, relating to him having contact with people under the age of 16, as well as limitations on what he accesses on the internet.
A hearing on the police’s bid to impose a SOPO on Niven is due to be held in the near future.
If granted, it means Niven could find himself in trouble with the law again were he to breach the terms of the order.
Laurie Matthew, founder of the charity Eighteen and Under — which helps victims of sex crimes — said the move was one police should make more often.
She said: “He sounds like a very dangerous person and I know how tough it is to get people like that locked up for their crimes. Often, when they are convicted, it is only the tip of the iceberg.
“It’s good to hear they are hoping to monitor his internet use.
“In a case where someone has committed offences in the past, the police are right to err on the side of caution.”
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said it would be inappropriate to comment on the case before it had been heard.
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