A 'GRANDFATHER' like figure who begged a Fairlie teenager for naked photos has avoided a jail sentence.

Andrew Hughes, 49, of Largs has instead been ordered to do 250 hours community service, leaving his victim telling the News how she feels betrayed.

The pervert will be monitored by police, after tormenting Chantelle Dunbar with sleazy Snapchat messages.

But Chantelle and her mum Dee today slammed the decision not to send him to prison, calling it 'incomprehensible' and 'disgraceful'.

Chantelle, 18, bravely waived her right to anonymity to speak out about the 'grooming' ordeal after family friend Hughes was found guilty.

She told the News how she received a number of alarming messages from Hughes, including a request that she sent him a naked picture of herself.

Chantelle says she suffered a nervous breakdown as a result of Hughes' crimes, and has struggled to cope since hearing that he did not receive a jail term.

Hughes was found guilty at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court of sending obscene messages to Chantelle and causing her fear or alarm for a year from April 2017.

The court heard that Hughes had suffered depression, a marriage split, and lived in a hostel following his conviction.

Chantelle said that Hughes deserved to 'rot in hell'.

She said: “When my mum told me I burst out crying.

“I feel like I can’t move on any more — that he got away with it.

“He manipulated me and made it feel like it was my fault.”

Mum Denise said: "This wasn't the outcome we expected - we thought he was going to go to jail.

"I can't believe it.

"Chantelle didn't understand why he didn't go to prison at the very least.

"It has been a very difficult situation for her after she was so brave and waived her anonymity to speak out.

"I am trying to stay brave for my daughter - it's horrible.

"The sheriff said he had been grooming her - it's disgraceful and I don't know how he can get away with it and avoid a jail term.

"It's a scary thing that he has walked free, and is a real slap on the face.

"He should have been sent away for a long time - and they should have been throwing away the key."