INVERCLYDE'S worst ever indecent images of children sex offender has had his sentencing postponed for a THIRD time at the sheriff court — with the case now set to enter its 28th month.

Ross McLeod, 29, downloaded and hoarded several thousand sickening photographs of youngsters being sexually abused by adults over a near decade-long period between 2011 and 2020.

He was due to finally have the long-running case dealt with last week, however, a sheriff has further delayed proceedings for an updated risk assessment after receiving a psychological report.

Lawman Michael Higgins has ordered a supplementary criminal justice social work report to be prepared before sentencing Port Glasgow sex offender McLeod.

The psychological assessment was called for after another sheriff, Sheriff Nicola Patrick, stated during a previous calling of the case: "I've seen the extent of what is involved here and it is of a very, very serious nature."

McLeod was arrested in July 2020 and indicted 12 months later.

His lawyers had been exploring the possibility before last 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, which 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 solicitor Paul Keenan in June.

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

Sentence on him was first deferred in July and then again in August.

Sheriff Higgins noted that the original social work background report, which was submitted on July 8, predates the psychological report of October 4.

Solicitor Keenan submitted that the dates of the respective reports were 'inconsequential' regarding disposal of the case.

Sheriff Higgins responded: "It may be that the assessments of risk [contained within the social work report] do not change in any way, shape or form but I want account taken of the psychological report to see if the criminal justice social work report changes in terms of risk assessment."

Sentence has been further deferred until next month.