Child video man banned from beach

Tibbert was reported to police by a member of the public

A man who filmed children as they played in the sea has been banned from going to any beach used by youngsters.

Thomas Tibbert, 37, used a video camera to record the children as they enjoyed the summer weather at Burntisland beach in Fife.

Tibbert was placed on probation for three years at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court after admitting breaching the peace.

He claimed he was merely filming the shoreline after being reported to police by a member of the public.

Tibbert, of Newmills, had been sitting on a small mound overlooking Burntisland beach with his video camera in July.

When officers played back the tape it showed that Tibbert had been focusing on the semi-naked children as they played on the beach and in the sea.

Tibbert was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for a period of three years, was banned from having photographic equipment outside his home address and from being in contact with any child under the age of 16.

Sheriff Peter Braid also banned Tibbert from entering any beach or shoreline in the UK used by children.