A FOOTBALL thug called a passer-by a "Cumnock b*****d" in Auchinleck and threatened to assault him with a wooden keyring, a court has heard.

Chris Turnbull pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening and abusive manner and assault in the town's Main Street, Well Road and Darnconner Avenue on May 11 this year.

The 34-year-old, of Old Avenue, Auchinleck, appeared from custody at Ayr Sheriff Court having previously been jailed for four months over a separate incident.

He admitted shouting, swearing, making offensive remarks and threats of violence and brandishing a 'sharply pointed wooden stick or similar implement'.

Turnbull also admitted to assaulting a man by seizing him by the collar and pulling him back, causing him to step backwards.

The offences were committed while Turnbull was out on bail, granted at Ayr Sheriff Court on December 18, 2023.

A procurator fiscal depute said: "At 1pm on the date libelled, witnesses were traveling in Main Street and passed a group including the accused while driving.

"Driving past they heard the accused shout 'Cumnock b*****d'."

The court heard that the abusive comment was aimed at the victim as he was wearing a football shirt.

The prosecutor added: "They entered the locus. [Turnbull] grabbed the complainer by the collar and said 'I was in front you, b*****d'.

"[The complainer] said 'alright' and the accused said 'F*****g laugh at me' and pulled out a wooden object."

Turnbull added: "Laugh at me again and I'll strike you in the neck."

Police were called after Turnbull left the scene.

Defence solicitor Robert Logan explained that his client, who appeared from custody on a separate matter, had been drinking during the incident and the wooded item was a keyring.

Sheriff Mhairi MacTaggart deferred sentencing for criminal justice social work reports to be prepared.

He was returned to custody and is due to return to court later this month.