An Ayrshire police detective is facing allegations of "coercive control" towards a former partner over almost a decade.

Paul McRoberts, 45, denies charges of threatening and abusive behaviour towards the woman.

It's alleged that the offences were committed in Mauchline, Ayr and Stewarton between 2010 and 2019.

The charges against Mr McRoberts allege that he controlled what food the woman could eat and that he changed her vehicle and energy bill details without her knowledge.

Prosecutors claim that he shouted and acted in an intimidating and aggressive manner towards his then partner in Cumnock Road, Mauchline between October 6, 2010 and April 23, 2017, placing the woman in a state of fear and alarm.

A separate charge alleges that he behaved in a similar manner between April 24, 2017 and March 31, 2019.

Mr McRoberts faces a further accusation that he “engaged in a course of behaviour which was abusive” to the woman by repeatedly shouting and acting in an aggressive manner between April 1, 2019 and July 31, 2021.

The Crown alleges that he restricted the types and brands of food the woman could buy, that he repeatedly implied there was not enough money coming in to the household, and that he attempted to make her work extra shifts.

However that charge claims that Mr McRoberts “well knew” that there was sufficient money available, alleging that he was “able to afford fresh meat from a butcher” for his own meals and that he took separate holidays from the woman.

It’s alleged he repeatedly refused to eat meals with the woman and that he repeatedly slept elsewhere and thus forced her to rearrange work shifts.

The charge also claims that after the couple separated, Mr McRoberts repeatedly drove past the woman’s home address, allegedly “maintaining observations” on her.

It’s further alleged that he coerced a family member into revealing the woman’s new address after their separation – and that he repeatedly entered her home and repeatedly blocked the doorway, preventing her from leaving the kitchen.

This charge claims that he “gestured in an aggressive manner” and demanded to know the woman’s shift patterns at work, allegedly shouting at her when she refused to divulge the details.

Another charge alleges that he sent threatening messages to the woman via text and social media over the same period, and that he altered paperwork for the woman’s car to make himself the registered keeper before allegedly refusing to divulge the password, preventing her dealing with insurance.

It’s claimed that Mr McRoberts cancelled the woman’s gas and electricity supply and that he adjusted the telephone contact without her knowledge.

Mr McRoberts, whose address was listed in court papers as care of Police Scotland’s professional standards department in Dalmarnock, Glasgow, was not present when the case called at Ayr Sheriff Court on Wednesday, April 5.

However defence agent Christopher Shaw, of law firm Levy McRae, entered pleas of not guilty to all the charges against his client.

The case was continued to allow the disclosure of evidence to the defence. Mr McRoberts will return to court at a later date.