A high-risk sex offender who walked free from court last month despite downloading indecent images of children may have bought new computer equipment the next day, it has been revealed.
Steven Paramore pled guilty on December 30 to saving images of children over an eight-year period.
His computer was confiscated and he was freed on bail with a condition banning him from accessing computer equipment enabling him to view the internet or download pictures.
But the disabled 50-year-old was arrested at the weekend after a laptop, electronic notebook and USB storage were discovered in his Victoria Street flat.
On Monday, he pled guilty to breaching bail by obtaining the equipment between December 31 and January 21. It was his second such bail breach, having bought a computer just hours after appearing in court in September on the original charges.
Depute fiscal Erin Paterson said, “Police received information that the accused had purchased a laptop at PC World. Inquiries were made and a witness there recollected serving the accused.
“Police searched his flat and he was asked if he had anything which would cause him to breach bail and he confirmed he had a laptop and showed the officers.
“USB ports were also found and seized. The accused was asked if he had any other electronics which would breach bail conditions and he replied ‘no.'”
However, the notebook was then recovered and Paramore admitted it was his.
His solicitor, John McLaughlin, said Paramore could not remember exactly when he had bought the equipment, but confirmed it had been since his last court appearance.
He said, “It’s a clear breach of the order. He says he intended only to access his emails and eBay.
“I’ve stressed if anything is found on either he’ll face further charges and he tells me there is nothing untoward on either of them.”
Sheriff Derek Livingston said, “I’ll take a neutral position on that because they were found on January 21 and it’s probably too early to say.”
He remanded Paramore until his sentence on February 14 for the child image crimes and both bail breaches, stating, “You’ve driven a horse and cart through your bail by buying two new pieces of electronic equipment.”
The court heard in December how Paramore has a decade-long background of disturbing behaviour. He has admitted in the past that he poses a risk to children and is a registered sex offender considered by the authorities to be of high risk of reoffending.
He was banned from being alone with children after admitting an offence involving a youngster in Perth in 2001.
A year later he was jailed for 12 months at Manchester Crown Court in connection with charges of indecent assault and gross indecency.
He was arrested in May after a police check uncovered child images on his computer. He denied the charge when he appeared in court in September and was freed on the condition he stay offline, a pledge he broke the next day.
Last month he changed his plea and admitted possessing indecent or pseudo photos of children at his home address on various occasions between May 22, 2002 and May 26 last year.
He also admitted breaching bail but was set free again.