Area
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Jason Smith appeared briefly at Ayr Sheriff Court facing two charges over alleged incidents involving a woman in neighbouring flats on Shawfarm Road, Prestwick. The case was continued without plea, with bail continued.
Business & Openings Fort
South Ayrshire councillors have been warned that vacancy rates remain a serious challenge in Ayr town centre, with officers saying the high street may need to adapt rather than return to its former shape. Investment planned for Burns Statue Square and a new town-centre framework are among the measures being progressed.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Ayr Sheriff Court dealt with 906 cases linked to domestic abuse or stalking during 2025/26, while courts across Ayrshire handled 2,275 such cases in total. The figures were published alongside a national rise in domestic abuse charges and calls for continued support for survivors.
Community Fort
NARTURE CIC has reached the finals of two 2026 national awards for its community work in Ayr, with public voting open for a People’s Choice prize.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
An 85-year-old man suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by a grey Audi A1 on Arthur Street in Ayr town centre. Police say the car initially failed to stop, but the 41-year-old driver was traced and arrested shortly afterwards.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Three people have been charged almost a year after Police Scotland uncovered what was described as the UK’s first known nitazene laboratory in Patna, Ayrshire. The case involves alleged serious organised crime, money laundering and fraud offences, with reports submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
Traffic & Construction Fort
Hervey Gibson, 78, has admitted multiple sexual offences involving men and women at his Ayr home and in the common close of Churchill Tower. Sentencing has been deferred for reports and a risk assessment, while bail continues and police notification requirements apply.
Traffic & Construction Fort
South Ayrshire Council is being asked to carry out further consultation on cycle lanes and junction changes proposed for the £19.9 million Accessible Ayr project, after councillors and local businesses raised concerns about the designs for Alloway Street and Sandgate.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Jayden Mason and Daniel Logan have pleaded not guilty at Ayr Sheriff Court to allegations including assault, robbery and the theft of a Nissan Juke in Maybole.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Jason Mason, 50, has been given a two-year community payback order after admitting sending indecent images to an adult woman posing online as a 12-year-old. The Ayr Sheriff Court case involved a vigilante sting at Craig Tara Holiday Park and restrictions on Mason’s internet use and contact with children.
Traffic & Construction Fort
The first phase of South Ayrshire Council’s Accessible Ayr project could cost £19.9 million and extend the timetable by up to two years, with cabinet members set to consider further design work and consultation.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Scott Alexander Brown has pleaded not guilty at Ayr Sheriff Court to allegations that he broke into a Bourtree Park house, stole a purse and later tried to use the bank card inside it.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Charles Lee, also known as Edward Taylor, has been jailed for six months at Ayr Sheriff Court after admitting he breached sex-offender notification requirements by failing to declare an online username and a new bank card.
Education Fort
Cheryl Mitchell, an additional support for learning teacher at Dalmilling Primary School, has been highly commended in The Herald Saroj Lal Award 2026 for her work challenging discrimination and promoting anti-racism.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Ayr Sheriff Court featured a series of cases covered by Ayrshire Weekly Press titles, including a fare dodger ordered to pay £3,000 compensation, a man jailed after assaulting his partner and a Dalrymple man found not guilty of showing a sexual video to a schoolboy.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Gillian and Lucy Montgomerie were acquitted at Ayr Sheriff Court after prosecutors stopped seeking convictions over allegations involving two teenage girls in Lochside, Ayr.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Jordan Dewar admitted assaulting a woman at Whiteleys Retreat on March 3, 2026, including grabbing her by the neck and pinning her to the floor. The case has been continued for background reports and is expected to be referred to the High Court because of a previous conviction.
Traffic & Construction Fort
GP practices across Ayrshire will close on Friday, September 18 and Monday, September 21. Residents are being advised to order repeat prescriptions early and check pharmacy opening times, with selected Ayr pharmacies open over the holiday weekend.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Craig Lucas was sentenced at Ayr Sheriff Court after admitting assaulting a taxi driver on Annfield Glen Road. The driver suffered a brain bleed, bruising and ongoing headaches.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Wee Troon Candy, run by Michael Malone, has avoided a potential £1.1 million damages award after a Court of Session judge dismissed most claims brought over the Chelsea Whopper name.
Education Fort
Thomas McNeillie, 58, was acquitted at Ayr Sheriff Court after facing a single charge alleging that he intentionally caused a 12-year-old boy to view a sexual image at a South Ayrshire secondary school.
Sport Fort
The three-day Ayr Gold Cup Festival runs from Thursday, September 17 to Saturday, September 19 at Ayr Racecourse, with racing, live entertainment, Ladies Day and the £180,000 Ayr Gold Cup.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Troon man accused of seriously assaulting two men at separate Prestwick pubs.
Culture Fort
The International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight will return to Ayr’s Low Green on Friday, September 3 and Saturday, September 4, 2027, following an event featuring the Red Arrows, Typhoon and a world premiere by Airborne Pyrotechnics.
Community Fort
Karen Gage, the former owner and principal of Dansarena Studios in Ayr, has retired from examining for the Royal Academy of Dance after a 56-year career.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Jack Hendry, 24, pleaded guilty at Ayr Sheriff Court to attempting to steal a vehicle in Dailly while acting with others, along with driving offences. Sentencing has been deferred for reports and an assessment, while bail continues and he remains disqualified from driving.
Community Fort
A first-floor flat at 21A Burns Statue Square in Ayr town centre has been approved for short-term letting, allowing stays of up to 90 days for a maximum of four guests.
Culture Fort
A hands-on photogram printmaking workshop will introduce participants to darkroom practice at 85 CREATE on Sandgate in Ayr on Friday 9 October 2026.
Traffic & Construction Fort
A recently upgraded detached house on Doonville Place is being marketed by Martin & Co in Ayr, with four upstairs bedrooms, two en suites, a renovated rear garden and a location within the catchment area for Alloway Primary School.
Crime & Public Safety Fort
Police Scotland Ayrshire said more than 30 missing children were reunited with parents and carers during the two-day International Ayr Show, with youth and adult volunteers helping visitors and returning lost property.
