A PRESTWICK man who grabbed a woman's buttocks and then bit her on the thumb in a bar in Ayr has been released from custody for the offence.

Josh Hill, 28, was given 200 hours of unpaid work after he appeared in court for sentencing, having admitting a charge of sexually assaulting a female at Harley's Bar, off Ayr's High Street, on June 3, this year.

He will also have to sign the sex offender's register for three years after spending time on remand.

Hill previously admitted placing his hand on the female's buttocks and squeezing it during the incident in the Ayr pub.

The charge states Hill, of Rathlin House, Prestwick, then assaulted her by biting her on the thumb.

Court papers state the offence was carried out while on bail - granted at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in June last year.

A not guilty plea to a charge of making indecent sexual comments to the same complainer was accepted by prosecutors.

When he returned to Ayr Sheriff Court from custody last week, defence solicitor John Gallagher said: "I would hope the court would give consideration to a lengthy community payback order.

"He is on remand but there is nothing directly analagous in his record - there is domestic offending.

"He was too intoxicated and has no recollection, but he in no way sought to challenge the complainer's account."

He added Hill would cooperate with a period of community service - after Sheriff Shirley Foran told the court she felt that was 'the way forward'.

She placed him on a community payback order for three years and told him he will be given a number of conduct requirements to protect the public:

He will reside only in an approved address and attend drug alcohol counselling.

He must also report any relationships, associations or connections with females by any means to his support officer to assess any risks.

Sheriff Foran added: "You will also complete 200 hours of unpaid work - the discount is not going to jail for this offence.

"Regarding the nature of the charge you will also be subject to sex offender notification requirements for the same period of time and must notify your local police office. 

"Any failure could give rise to further prosecution."