A convicted sex offender has been jailed for six months after failing to tell police about an online username and a new bank card while subject to sex-offender notification requirements.
Charles Lee, also known as Edward Taylor, returned to Ayr Sheriff Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to two breaches committed between April 20 and May 1 this year. The court heard that he had previously used an address on Ayr's Main Street and other locations to send indecent images and messages.
The 43-year-old was subject to sex-offender notification requirements, licence conditions and supervision involving social workers. His latest breach was discovered during a visit to his home at 9.45am on May 1.
Hidden phone found during police visit
The Crown prosecutor told the court that officers asked Lee whether he had any other electronic devices. He admitted that he had hidden another mobile phone under his couch.
The phone was seized and examined. Police found that he had a Halifax bank account and an eBay username that he had not registered as required. He was arrested, cautioned and charged before being taken to Saltcoats police office.
Lee had previously told the court, when appearing from custody last year, that not having access to a mobile phone would reduce his risk of reoffending. His earlier offending involved online contact with someone he believed was a child under 13.
Earlier sexual offending
The court previously heard that Lee admitted sending messages to the person between May 10 and May 18, 2025. He admitted causing the child to look at a sexual image, sending an image of his genitals, and attempting to communicate sexually with a young child.
He also acknowledged that he should not have been speaking in that way and admitted being attracted to young girls. He made the remark that “age is just a number”.
For those offences, he was jailed for 18 months, reduced from 22 months because of his early guilty plea. He was also ordered to remain on licence for an extended 18-month period and placed on the sex-offenders register for 10 years.
Sentence for latest breach
Sentencing had initially been deferred so that criminal justice social work reports could be prepared. When Lee was due to appear again on August 24, his defence solicitor John Gallagher told Sheriff Siobhan Connelly that Lee had been recalled to custody.
When Lee returned to court from custody the following week, Sheriff Connelly imposed a six-month sentence for the breach. The sentence was reduced from nine months because he had pleaded guilty.
