Sex offender caught teaching at pools

A SEX offender, banned from entering any building being used by girls aged 11-16, was found to be teaching life saving at two swimming baths in Edinburgh.

Ian Purvis, 24, was given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order at Newcastle Crown Court in 2006, prohibiting him from entering any building while being used by females aged between 11 and 16 for educational or recreational purposes, save for an appointment with the social services.

At Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, Purvis of Links Place, Edinburgh, admitted that on repeated occasions between July 1, 2009, and December 5 last year he was in breach of the order by being in Portobello Swim Centre and Gracemount Leisure Centre while they were being used by girls aged between 11 and 16.

Fiscal Depute, Ruth Ross-Davie, said Purvis had become a member of a life saving club at the two pools where members of the club included girls aged between 11 and 16.

This was discovered by the police officer responsible for monitoring him in October 2010. Purvis, she added, had no qualifications in life saving. He said he did not understand he was in breach of the order.

Sheriff Derrick McIntyre deferred sentenc.