An Ayr man who left a voicemail asking for help performing an act on himself among a string of lewd comments has been placed on the sex offenders register.

Steven Ross pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in leaving the vile voicemail to staff at Netherfield Dental Practice on December 28 making remarks of a sexual nature from his address in Wilson Street.

The 48-year-old admitted causing staff fear and alarm - with the judge stating the offence was substantially sexual in nature, after the court heard the accused had learning disabilities.

The procurator fiscal depute told Ayr Sheriff Court the dental practice had been closed for the festive period and said: “On December 29 witnesses returned to work and checked phone messages. A voicemail was sent by the accused Steven Ross at 11.03pm."

The comments were of a lewd, sexual nature, with the fiscal depute saying these "left the complainers shocked and they contacted police.

“The accused was traced and conveyed to Saltcoats Police office and made no comment to caution or charge."

He faced a second charge of communicating indecently - leaving a message to a woman at Arrol Park Resource Centre, Doonfoot Road on January 1 this year.

Defence solicitor Tony Currie said: “He has a lifelong learning disability but of view, he knows the difference between right and wrong.

“He appreciates the wrongdoing, I can say quite safely, not only he appreciates it was wrongful but that it would have been shocking for the complainers to experience this in their work.

“He has expressed his regret and apologies.”

Sheriff John Montgomery said: “I’m going to make you subject to a community payback order with supervision in the community for two years.

“You will have to obey the sex offender registration requirements for two years.”