A MAN who told a 15-year-old boy "I'll do you in" has been handed 80 hours of unpaid work.

Gavin Paxton from Castle Croft in Dalmellington threatened the teenage boy in August after failing to rekindle a relationship with his mother.

The 41-year-old pled guilty to the offences which included threatening and abusive behaviour to the child and challenging him to fight, Ayr Sheriff Court heard on Tuesday, December 4.

Depute Fiscal Stewart McMillan told the court: "At the time of this, the accused had been in a relationship with the victim's mother. He was making efforts to reconcile the relationship.

"At 11 o'clock on August 3, the witness heard him being abusive and challenging to fight, saying 'I'll do you in'. He went on to swear at the 15-year-old. who was visibly upset."

Defending Paxton, solicitor Peter Lockhart told the court: "It was by chance he met him [the victim]. Although the boy was 15, he was behaving aggressive.

"He should not have said that to a 15-year-old. He accepts that and pled guilty in respect to that."

Sheriff Desmond Leslie sentenced Paxton to 80 hours of unpaid work and slammed his behaviour. He told Paxton: "I'm sure you're not very proud of yourself taking on a 15-year-old."

The community service must be carried out within three months.