A POPULAR local band says it will change its name to distance themselves from a former band member convicted of sickening child sex crimes.

Members of The Sharps spoke to the News this week to voice their disgust at the activities of former member Alfred Brown.

Brown, 62, pleaded guilty to abusing and filming a seven-year-old child at an address in Largs.

The court heard how Brown had used filming equipment to record his young victim and repeatedly compelled her to expose her underwear to him at a location in Largs.

He also captured footage of the primary school pupil while she was asleep and while he indecently touched her.

The offence is said to have taken place on a date between January 2003 and November 2010.

Brown also admitted on various occasions between 1 January 2003 and 4 March 2019, at his then home address in Lindsay Crescent in Largs, having in his possession indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child contrary to the Civic Government Scotland Act 1982.

The offences are said to have spanned a 16-year period.

Now former band members have spoken of their shock at his conviction, which has led to a 17-month jail sentence and saw him placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years.

Brown joined the band in 2005 and was not a founding member.

A spokesperson for the band said: “The long-standing members of The Sharps are parents themselves and would like to express their shock and lack of knowledge concerning the sexually criminal behaviour of Alfie Brown.

“We had no idea of his indecent activities and as parents ourselves we are totally disgusted and now are suspicious of his behaviour whilst in contact with our own families.

“We would just like to say again we would never have associated with him had we known his despicable conduct regarding children.

"We hope this clarifies our position as regards to Mr Brown.”

The band, who are popular in the local music scene, say they will no longer use The Sharps name and will reinvent themselves moving forward.