A man who pushed his girlfriend onto a floor while she was holding a baby has avoided jail.

The 31-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, assaulted the woman in a caravan at Craig Tara Holiday Park in Ayr on June 2 of this year.

The man appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court for sentencing last week, having previously pled guilty to two charges.

He behaved in a threatening and abusive manner in that he was aggressive towards his partner, shouted, swore and uttered abusive remarks to her.

He also pushed her on the body whilst she was holding a baby in her arms, seized hold of her and pushed her on the body, whereby she fell to the floor. Defending the accused, solicitor Tony Currie said: “There’s an issue in the reports in terms of his responsibility or lack of.

"It was a very difficult relationship. He claimed that he was the victim of abuse.

“What is clear is that that relationship is now well and truly at an end. I think it’s fair to say that everyone had taken well in excess of alcohol.

"I think there’s an element of embarrassment, of coming to terms with that [the assault] and of remembering.

“There’s an absence of any real record. He’s indicated to me that he would be happy to meet any financial penalty. He would have no difficulty with a community-based disposal.”

The man was given a Community Payback Order as an alternative to custody. He will be subject to supervision for 12 months and will carry out 120 hours of unpaid work within nine months.