A MACMERRY man has been placed on supervision after admitting to possessing indecent images of children.

Ronald Easton, of Annfield Court, has also been handed a three-year term on the sex offenders' register following his guilty plea at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last month.

Previously, the court heard that police officers had received information that indecent images of children had been downloaded from an electronic device at Easton’s address.

Easton immediately admitted his involvement when questioned by officers and he admitted to having an “interest in boys between eight and 12 years old”.

More than 300 images were recovered from various electronic devices found at Easton’s home, including a tablet and four USB sticks.

The Macmerry man returned to the Capital court last Wednesday, where Sheriff Thomas Welsh sentenced him to complete a community payback order.

Defending solicitor Matthew Auchencloss said his client was “deeply ashamed” of his actions and that he “struggles with impulsiveness”.

Sheriff Welsh noted that Easton had pleaded guilty at an early stage in proceedings and placed Easton on a three-year supervision requirement where his conduct will be monitored.

Easton, 45, was also placed on the sex offenders' register for the same period of time.

Easton admitted to possessing indecent photographs of children at his home address on October 22 last year.