A WARRANT has been issued for the arrest of a man accused of collecting a stash of child abuse images in Muirkirk.

Daniel Lockwood has been charged with possessing indecent images of children at an address in Colthart Drive in the village over a period of more than 15 months.

The 38-year-old faces a further charge of taking, permitting to be taken, or making the same images between May 11, 2022 and August 16 last year.

Mr Lockwood, who was described in court papers as a resident of Muirkirk, was due to face the charges at a ‘first diet’ pre-trial hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court on July 17.

But when his name was called repeatedly by court staff, Mr Lockwood failed to appear in the dock.

Sheriff Desmond Leslie granted a request from the Crown for a warrant to be issued for Mr Lockwood’s arrest; the case will call again at a later date.

All accused persons reported in the Cumnock Chronicle are considered innocent unless or until they are later found, or admit to being, guilty.