A classroom assistant who sent sexually explicit messages to pupils has been placed on the sex offenders register for two years.

Johnathan Brier admitted sending text and Facebook messages to two female pupils in November last year. 

At a hearing on Wednesday, the 20-year-old was told he would also have to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and over the next two years take part in a sex offenders programme, be of good behaviour and that he would also be placed under offender supervision.

Sheriff Peter Hammond said the sentence was a “direct alternative to custody”.

Stonehaven Sheriff Court was told that Brier, of Argyll Place, Portlethen, had been employed at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven at the time of the offence.

An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman confirmed he has since left the school.

Procurator fiscal depute Sandy Hutchison told the court Brier sent one message which read: "I would do you. Would you do me?"

Mr Hutchison said: "The matter came to light as a result of the acting rector's concern.

"The police were contacted regarding what was an allegation that the girls had received text and Facebook messages from the accused.

"The accused was immediately suspended from his role at the academy."

Another message to one of the girls said Brier "would not mind a go on her" before telling her that she had "big, nice boobs".

The 20-year-old, who hung his head in the dock during the hearing, also asked both girls for pictures of themselves and asked them for oral sex. He asked one of his victims if he could see her naked.

One of the victims was asked if she would take part in a threesome with Brier and the other girl.

Defence agent Kevin Longino said his client had been a pupil at the school "a matter of weeks" before taking up his post with "no experience or qualifications".

He told the court Brier was "immature in personal relationships" and said had his client acted in the same way while still a pupil at the school no criminal offence would have taken place.

"It was a very unfortunate chain of stupid decisions," Mr Longino said.

"His principal aim was to go to a foreign country to take up a course in sport. It is highly likely he will be unable to do that, he may not be able to travel to that country as a result."

Mr Hammond said: "This was a serious breach of trust in relation to two young girls under your charge.

"It showed a degree of preplanning and persistence in establishing contact with the girls concerned."

The sheriff said this was despite warnings from his employers that he should not be engaging with pupils on Facebook and warned him the court could have imposed a custodial sentence.