A man is facing jail after a dog savaged a police officer and left him scarred for life when it ripped open his arm while he was investigating an assault.

The bull mastiff-type dog left Police Constable Euan Wilson needing 13 stitches after attacking him at a property in Prestwick, Ayrshire, in January this year.

The dog went on the attack after Gurbhaj Singh, 30, allowed the officers to enter the room the dog was in.

Police Constable Euan Wilson and colleagues had gone to the property in the town's Weston Place to investigate reports of an assault on a 41-year-old man on the afternoon of Saturday, January 9.

Whilst at the property Singh allowed PC Wilson, and colleague Sandy McBreen, to enter the room where the dog was.

The dog then attacked both officers, grabbing hold of PC Wilson's left arm and sinking its teeth in to his flesh, and attempting to bite PC McBreen.

The mutt also tried to bite another of their colleagues, a PC Miller.

PC Wilson was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery, which saw 13 stitches used to seal his wounds, under anaesthetic.

He had to take time off to recover from his injuries, which will see him scarred for life.

Singh was arrested and charged over the incident and appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court accused of keeping a dog that was dangerously out of control.

He was also charged with failing to comply with an order made at Ayr Justice of the Peace Court to prevent a creature causing annoyance, contrary to Section 49(2) of the Civic Government Scotland Act 1982.

He struck a deal with prosecutors which saw him admit responsibility over the dog attack in exchange for the other charge being dropped.

He pleaded guilty to culpably and recklessly conduct by allowing the three officers to enter the room whilst knowing there was an aggressive and dangerous dog inside.

The charge he admitted stated that, due to his actions, the dog left PC Wilson severely injured and scarred for life, left PC Miller injured and tried to bite PC McBreen.

Sentence was deferred so Singh could be assessed by social workers and he returned to the dog last month to learn his fate.

The court heard a crucial social work report had not been prepared and sentence was deferred until this week.

And when Singh returned to the dock it emerged the report was still not available.

Sheriff Carole Cunningham again deferred sentence for the report to be made available.

Singh could be jailed for as long as five years when he returns to the dock later this month.