A PORT Glasgow sex offender who downloaded and hoarded indecent images of children over a near decade-long period of time is to be psychiatrically assessed before he is sentenced.

Ross McLeod, 29, was due to have the case — for which he was first indicted more than a year ago — dealt with at Greenock Sheriff Court earlier this week.

But matters have been adjourned until next month in order for a medical report to be available.

Sheriff Nicola Patrick said: "I've seen the extent of what is involved here and it is of a very, very serious nature."

McLeod committed the offences between September 2011 and July 2020.

He was indicted on the matter in July last year.

McLeod's lawyers had been exploring the possibility before Christmas that he might not have been criminally responsible for his actions.

They had him assessed by a psychiatrist regarding a potential defence under section 51a of the Criminal Procedure (Scotland) Act.

The legislation states: 'A person is not criminally responsible for conduct constituting an offence, and is to be acquitted of the offence, if the person was at the time of the conduct unable by reason of mental disorder to appreciate the nature or wrongfulness of the conduct.'

However, this avenue of enquiry was abandoned after an expert report concluded that McLeod is criminally responsible for what he did.

He pleaded guilty through lawyer Paul Keenan last month.

McLeod had also been charged with possession of bestiality pornography, however, his not guilty plea to this was accepted by the Crown.

Sheriff Patrick has further deferred sentence, and continued consideration of a sexual offences prevention order, until August 24.