A SEX offender who was banned from all contact with youngsters has been jailed after being caught near a busy playground.

William Cunningham, 47 - one of Scotland's most dangerous paedophiles - was considered such a high risk to children that police obtained an order in May 2010 preventing him from accessing public parks, children's areas, leisure centres, schools or nurseries.

But Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard he breached the order by entering Howard Park in Kilmarnock, which contains an adventure playground, on various occasions in April and May this year.

He is now starting a nine-month jail term after admitting breaching the order.

In 2007, Cunningham was jailed for four years and nine months for attempted murder. He also served four years for lewd and libidinous behaviour and his 33 prior convictions include indecent assault and child cruelty.