Pensioner admits sex with underage girls in Fife

A pensioner is facing jail for having sex with two underage girls in Fife.

Harry Canning, 77, kept in contact with the teenagers via Facebook and text messages.

A judge heard how he gave them money and cigarettes in return for sex.

But, the OAP was snared last year when one victim reported feeling “scared” by what happened.

Canning contacted the other girl stating: “Delete all my texts.”

He today appeared in his wheelchair in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow.

Canning pled guilty to two charges of having sex with an older child between 2016 and 2018 at his home in Leven, Fife.

He will learn his fate next month.

The court heard the vulnerable girls were aged between 14 and 15 at the time.

The first child knew Canning through a mutual friend.

The pensioner gave her his mobile number and later asked her to visit him.

The girl admitted she was 14 – but Canning said he “did not care about her age” and that no one was to know.

He later had sex with the girl insisting it would be “fun”.

Canning continued to prey on the child, who said she “cannot quantify” how many times it happened.

Canning also had sex with the other girl at his home around this time.

He initially told her he was “blind” and asked for her to go nearer to him so he “could see her face”.

The incidents went on for a number of months before this girl let someone know what had happened.

Prosecutor Angela Gray said: “She was tearful and felt scared.”

Police were alerted and Canning was held. He made no comment at the time.

The hearing was told the OAP had a previous conviction for growing and possessing cannabis.

Ronnie Renucci QC, defending, said Canning had been brought to court by a family friend who acted as his carer.

Judge Johanna Johnston continued bail as sentencing was deferred for reports.

Canning was placed on the sex offenders list meantime.