THE Scottish Courts Service has admitted errors in the handling of a case involving a convicted sex offender, it emerged yesterday.
The ''misunderstanding'' allowed George Younger, who had been bailed following conviction for lewd and libidinous behaviour, an extra month before sentencing.
Cunninghame South MP Brian Donohoe criticised SCS and called for a meeting to raise the matter with Scottish Home Affairs Minister Henry McLeish. Mr Donohoe said the court system was in danger of falling into disrepute.
Protesters claimed Younger should never have been allowed out on bail and said it was incredible he could walk the streets for an extra month before sentencing.
The mother of a seven-year-old victim said the local community had collected 2000 signatures for a petition protesting at Younger's behaviour when the offences came to light.
Younger is understood to be living in England but the mother said a campaign against him could be reignited because of the latest development.
She said windows at his Stevenston house had been smashed and it was feared locals may develop a lynch-mob mentality, as happened on a Stirling estate earlier this year.
She added: ''It is not right that he is walking the streets. I don't feel safe for my daughter or other children. I was angry when he was allowed out on bail but I am furious that this has also happened.''
Younger was convicted in April. Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard he abused girls aged seven and nine. He was released on bail for background reports and reappeared for sentencing on May 20. That hearing was wrongly continued until June 20 instead of May 22.
Mr Donohoe said: ''The way this case has been handled by the court system has been totally unacceptable. It was bad enough when this individual was released on bail for a month. It's even worse now that he has been released on bail again because of a mix-up between the sheriffs handling his case.
''This case demonstrates the leniency which some court officials are prepared to exercise against convicted sex offenders. There is something fundamentally wrong with the court service, to the point where it is almost falling into disrepute.''
Mr Donohoe said it was unbelievable that mistakes had been made after he had discussed the case with the Lord Advocate.
Last week, SCS chief executive Michael Ewart wrote to the MP admitting that there had been a ''misunderstanding''.
A Scottish Office spokesman yesterday said Mr McLeish would respond to Mr Donohoe's request when he received the letter.
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