A THUG who helped kidnap a man, for stealing an £8000 motor, has been put behind bars.

Gordon McNab of Earl Rise Dundonald, along with two others turned up at their victims house in Troon, forcing him into a car and driving to a nearby reservoir in Loans on Boxing Day 2015.

The 25-year-old and his accomplices pulled him from the vehicle, repeatedly struck and kicked him on the head and body causing him to fall to the ground.

They pulled him to his feet to strike him on the head and knock him to the ground before demanding that he remove his clothing.

When the man refused to do so they pushed him causing him to fall into the reservoir. McNab appeared before Sheriff John Montgomery at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.

The court heard how McNab is believed to have known the complainer and showed up at his home at 5.50pm on December 26, 2015.

Depute Fiscal, Lorri Pidgeon, said: "There was a knock at the door and the complainer was told there was someone there to see him. He saw McNab and another man who was a landlord. 

"The man was told to get into the car . He sat in the front passenger side. There was a third man driving. The complainer was asked about a stolen car but he said he did not know anything.

"They drove to a reservoir in Loans before dragging the man outside to kick and punch him. The man was asked again about the stolen vehicle and he replied that he did not know. He was then told to remove his outer clothing and walk towards the reservoir. He was pushed into the water and hurt his shins .

"He refused to leave the water as he thought he would be attacked again. At 7pm he crawled to a nearby house and asked them to phone an ambulance. The man asked them not to call the police. 

"The victim was kept in hospital overnight for observation. Attempts were made to trace the accused. McNab's car was found at his work with the complainer's DNA inside."

Speaking on McNab's behalf, defence solicitor, Colin Adam, said: "I am happy to confirm that no physical violence was used. There is no suggestion of him being dragged into the vehicle.

"If it had not been for the fact that the complainer had broken into the home of the other man and stolen his car, worth £8000, this may not have happened.

"Mr McNab's record shows one previous offence but the complainer is a seasoned burglar on eight different offences. The party involved were in no doubt he had stolen the car."

The court heard how the owner of the car was now deceased and the driver was not facing charges. 

Mr Adam continued: "Mr McNab had taken alcohol that day and could not drive. There was no planning in this attack. 

"The owner of the car wanted to know where is vehicle was. The three of them went along with the view to persuade him to tell them the whereabouts.

"My client says violence would not have been used if the man had told them where the car was."

Sheriff Montgomery interrupted: "That is speculation."

Mr Adam responded: "It is not speculation in his mind. Three people were involved and he is the last man standing. 

"The former owner passed away in a road traffic accident a short time ago and the crown decided not to press charges on the driver."

Sheriff Montgomery said: "There seems to be some extent of victim blaming in the report."

Mr Adam replied: "I think that was  due to the vehicle being stolen."