A Mauchline man has admitted sending menacing messages to his former partner and threatening to send someone to her home to get his property back.

Robert Rutherford, 44, pleaded guilty to sending a voice note and messages of a grossly offensive or menacing character from an address in Fernlea Avenue, Mauchline between July 24 and November 11 last year.

The relationship between Rutherford and his ex had ended four months before the messages began.

At Ayr Sheriff Court last week, the procurator fiscal depute said: “The accused and complainer had been in a relationship for six years. This ended in March 2022.

“The accused agreed she would give his remaining clothing to charity.

“He appeared to change his mind when she got a new partner.

“The accused then sent a voice note on WhatsApp, relating to property. The accused, rather bizarrely, sent messages hinting at sending a person to her address to return them.

“The messages were of some length.”

Defence solicitor John Gallagher explained his client was anxious to get a car key from the address at the time, which would have cost £100 to replace.

Sentence on Rutherford, now of Morris Crescent, Hurlford, was deferred for six months for good behaviour.

Sheriff Christian Marney said: “You went about matters the wrong way.

“I’m content to defer sentence for six months to show good behaviour.”

Rutherford, now of Morris Crescent, Hurlford, will return to court at a later date.