Retired teacher put on sex register

Kenneth Starks, 64, was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for 18 months and ordered to be under supervision for the same period with a condition he carry out 200 hours unpaid work.
Starks, of Manse Gardens, Strachur, Argyll and Bute, had been found guilty at Dumfries Sheriff Court of swimming towards children and touching them – two on the buttocks and one on the stomach – at the DG One leisure centre in March, May and September 2014.
He was also found guilty of a breach of the peace charge related to watching youngsters and walking around in the changing area while children were present when it wasn’t necessary for him to do so between March and September that same year.
The complaints had been outlined to the court by staff at the pool after they had been alerted to his “out of the ordinary” behaviour.
A solicitor, who had pointed out that no one had given evidence of concern at Starks’ behaviour other than employees at the pool and no children had given evidence, said Starks had been a teacher before retiring due to health problems.