A DUMBARTON transsexual was found with 350 indecent images of children his laptop after police searched his home. Paedophile John MacAulay, 63, admitted to the offence after the home which he shared with his wife was searched by officers in March last year.

During the interview, he explained his wife knew "nothing" about the computer and did not use it before telling officers how Victoria Seasons was his "alter ego" and he was a transsexual.

Last week he appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court, where he pleaded guilty to the charges of having indecent photos or pseudo-photographs of children.

Malcolm McLeod, procurator fiscal, told the court how officers searched the address at 9.30pm, after receiving information from the Metropolitan Police that a man had been using the name "Victoria Seasons" on the internet.

After being allowed access to his home, officers explained to MacAulay why they were there and asked him if he had any computer equipment.

A laptop was found within the property and MacAulay was detained and taken to Clydebank police office where he was allowed to speak to his lawyer, before being questioned by police.

As he was charged he told officers "I was stupid."

After examining the laptop police found 350 images of children, many showing young girls in graphic poses.

All of the images showed children between the ages of four and 14.

The history on the laptop also showed MacAulay had accessed sites relating to his "alter ego".

It was also heard there was no evidence to suggest MacAulay had shared any of the images with other people on the internet.

Kenny Clark, defending, told the court that the 63-year-old was a first offender and had been on bail since his arrest last year. Sheriff Simon Pender deferred sentence on MacAulay until March 13 in order for a criminal justice social work and a psychologist's report to be prepared and placed MacAulay on the sex offenders' register.