A THUG who brandished a 12-inch blade at his landlady in Ayr is behind bars awaiting sentence.

Joshua Hughes waved the knife at the woman and demanding she leave the address in Lochside Road last October.

Ayr Sheriff Court heard the woman had gone to the property to carry out a welfare check two days after she was asked for help finding a place for men who had nowhere to stay.

Hughes, 23, appeared for sentencing at Ayr Sheriff Court last week after pleading guilty to a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour on October 17, 2022.

A not guilty plea to a second charge on the Crown’s indictment was accepted by prosecutors.

The procurator fiscal depute said Hughes had been remanded in custody after appearing on petition in connection with the matter.

He said: “The locus was a home address at a block of flats which was sparsely furnished.

“On Monday, October 10, 2022, the complainer was approached by a male known to her, seeking assistance for some males with nowhere to stay.

“At 4pm on Wednesday, October 12 she went to check on their welfare.

“Mr Hughes began acting in an aggressive manner and demanded she leave.

“He had a 12-inch bladed knife in his right hand. She called police.

“He was traced by police and taken to Saltcoats police office.”

Defence solicitor Gillian Swanney said her client had a past criminal record, with all his previous offences committed in England.

Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart deferred sentence for background reports because of Hughes’ age and the nature of his offence.

She told Hughes: “The social workers interviewing you will need to know the exact circumstances.

“It will be in your benefit to cooperate fully.”

Hughes, whose address was listed as care of HMP Kilmarnock, was returned to custody.

He will return to Ayr Sheriff Court at a later date.