A MAN who nicked lager from the CO-OP on Ayr’s Sandgate has been given three months to clean up his act.

Gordon McKay of Russell Drive admitted stealing the alcohol on April 3 and April 9 last year from the store.

He also owned up to stealing more food and alcohol from Lidl on Allison Street on June 26, 2016. The 41-year-old appeared before Sheriff John Montgomery at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.

The court heard how McKay had already spent eight months in prison for an assault charge.

Depute Fiscal Scott Toal said: “These are shoplifting matters. The alcohol has been recovered which was to the value of £41.83. This led to the allegations of assault which were taken to trial last August.”

Speaking on his behalf defence solicitor Ian Gillies said: “The matters Mr Toal referred to happened in August and Mr Hodge was given eight months imprisonment. 

“He was given early release on December 31. I suggest a deferred sentence for Mr McKay to continue this order and to see if the stores want to be compensated. 

“Mr McKay is on a community payback order which seems to be going relatively well and has been out of prison for just over a month.”
Sheriff Montgomery has deferred sentence for three months for McKay to be of good behaviour and make restitution to these shops.