A north-east beekeeper who had a five-month sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl used his hobby to prey on her.
Robert Higham admitted two charges of engaging in sexual behaviour with a child when he appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday.
The court heard the 47-year-old took the girl with him to tend to his bees in Alves, and touched her indecently on various occasions in the car.
Higham, of Rhinturk, Lower Cabrach, Huntly, also sent repeated private messages to the girl via Facebook.
As their relationship escalated, he also sent her a graphic indecent image of himself.
The offences happened between March 1 and August 31, 2013.
Fiscal depute Kevin Corrins told the court: “It was noted by the accused’s partner that the girl was spending a lot more time with him.
“They began to contact each other more, and a relationship seems to have blossomed.”
Suspicion around Higham’s behaviour arose after the girl began making admissions of their relationship to friends.
The police were contacted after Higham’s wife confronted the pair. He later admitted what had happened between him and the girl to officers.
Mr Corrins added: “He accepted they had kissed and cuddled on occasions.
“On one occasion, in Alves, in his car it went further.”
Defence agent David Adams told the court his client “accepted” he would be added to the sex offenders register.
Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov deferred sentence on Higham until November 19 for background reports.