A GREENOCK sexual offences accused man who was set for trial next month charged with having indecent images of children and extreme bestiality pornography has had the proceedings postponed until next year.

The prosecution of Robert Leith - who was originally scheduled to have the case go before a jury in June - has been further delayed because his defence team want to have a mobile phone released to them for analysis.

Leith, 65, who has a west end address on court papers, is charged with alleged sexual offences spanning a timeframe of 22 years.

Solicitor Derek Buchanan told the latest calling of the protracted prosecution at the sheriff court: "There is an outstanding telephone report required in relation to this matter.

"A request has been lodged to have the phone released for analysis, however, it is not anticipated that the analysis will be complete prior to the trial [on November 6]."

Leith, who first appeared in court on the matters in 2021, is charged with possession of extreme pornography 'depicting in an explicit and realistic way' bestiality.

He is also accused of taking or permitting to be taken, or making, indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children.

He is said to have committed the alleged indecent child images offences between February 1999 and July 2021.

The bestiality images allegation relates to a timeframe between 2011 and 2021.

Leith previously offered a plea of guilty to this charge only, and not guilty to the child images charges, but this was rejected by the Crown.

Procurator fiscal depute Kirstin Brierley told the latest calling of the case: "It is unfortunate, given the case reference number originating in 2021, but there is no opposition from the Crown in order to allow the defence to progress matters."

Sheriff Anthony McGeehan said: "There is little option other than to adjourn the trial of November 6."

The case is due to call again on January 23 next year, ahead of a rescheduled trial now set for January 29.