A GREENOCK man banned from all contact with women has appeared in court to admit possession of a sickening sex image of a child.

Alexander McCullough, 48, had the photo on a mobile phone which was seized by police at his home in Lansbury Street on 9 February last year.

He appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court from custody to plead guilty to the charge.

It is the latest offence in McCullough’s catalogue of criminality, with prosecutors believing he is ‘a danger to young females’ in the town.

Last year the Tele revealed he was on an ASBO designed to keep him away from ALL women.

He is believed to be the only person in Scotland with the unique anti-social behaviour order banning him from unsupervised contact with females.

And in January he was jailed after admitting his FOURTH weapons offence.

Prior to that he was put behind bars in September for sending text messages to a Greenock woman saying he was going to sexually assault her and shoot members of her family, including her children.

His latest offence happened after police seized his mobile phone in connection with that incident.

When it was forensically examined at a police laboratory, an image was found featuring sexual abuse of a female who prosecutors believe to be around 10-years-old.

Depute fiscal Pamela Brady said: “A second search warrant was granted and officers found a folder at the address which included a piece of paper, effectively a list of sexual activity involving children.

“The view taken was that it was indicative of the accused’s sexual interests.” Jobless McCullough was granted bail on 29 July 2013 at the court and ordered not to access the internet or to have unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16.

A further allegation was raised by police to prosecutors, who then brought a petition before the court on 6 December asking for McCullough’s bail to be revoked.

Sheriff Thomas McCartney placed him back into custody at this point.

McCullough’s solicitor Gerry Keenan appealed the decision at the High Court, but judges upheld it and he has been kept in custody ever since.

Mr Keenan again applied for bail ahead of sentencing over the indecent image.

He said: “There is nothing in his record that is directly analogous to what he has pled to today.

“This is a single image.” Responding to the bail application, Ms Brady said: “There are serious concerns he poses a danger to young females and that is reflected in the ASBO that was granted.” Sheriff Derek Hamilton refused lawyer Mr Keenan’s bail request, stating that McCullough had broken previous bail orders, and his ASBO, had failed to show for previous court appearances and had a number of domestic assault and weapons convictions.

He said: “Before I know more about you and the danger you pose to the community you will be remanded in custody.” The sheriff has called for full background reports and McCullough will be sentenced later this month.