AN AYRSHIRE MAN has admitted writing abuse on his ex-girlfriend’s forehead "out of boredom" throughout a relationship lasting more than four years.

David Neilson admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards his then partner at Nursery Hall and Princes Court in Ayr, as well as at Huntley Court in Kilmarnock, between December 2014 and March 2019.

The 35-year-old also pleaded guilty to nipping the woman, punching her and issuing threats relating to a child at Harbour Road in Troon, Boswell Park in Ayr and elsewhere between April 1, 2019 and May 20 of the following year.

When Neilson appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last week, Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart asked the procurator fiscal depute to read the narration “slowly”, as she wanted Neilson to hear all the details.

The fiscal depute said: "The complainer and the accused were in a co-habiting relationship from 2014 to 2020, residing at several addresses.

"The complainer attended Women's Aid and matters were reported to police.

"It was noted that throughout the relationship he used to write 'sl*t' and 'd**k' on her head. He used to do that 'out of boredom'.

"This made the complainer feel humiliated.

"He used to pinch her at random times, also out of 'boredom'.

"The complainer stated that the accused threatened her if she told social workers anything. He would regularly punch and nip her.

"He once shouted about the 'state of her hair', heard by other patrons of a café, and she felt mortified.

"He also threatened to cut her hair himself before cutting a strand with a knife."

The court heard Neilson also ripped up a medical letter sent to the complainer.

When Sheriff MacTaggart raised concerns that Neilson “doesn't seem to think he's done anything wrong", defence solicitor Tony Currie said: "Part of the evidence goes beyond the complainer.

"Two witnesses are support workers, and welfare agencies are involved.

"They are of the view both have tendencies towards autism.

“The bit about the medical letter torn up, both spoke of, and neither grasped the seriousness of this." 

Sheriff MacTaggart told Neilson: "Mr Currie has made the picture a lot clearer. You seemed to be saying it never happened.

"You are going to have to accept what you have done.

“Then I would like to put help in place so it doesn't happen again.

"The matter is going before social work, and you can't shy away from them. That's what you did.”

Neilson, of Boyd Street, Kilmarnock, will return to court for sentencing following social work reports.