Andy Hamilton

Journalist at Irvine Times

Journalist at Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald

Journalist @ayradvertiser/@cumnockchron/@IrvineTimes/@ArdrossanHerald. Can be found at Ayr court; [email protected]

Articles

Two men 'chased woman with screwdriver' in alleged robbery attempt

3 days ago | ayradvertiser.com | Andy Hamilton

Alexander Archie Robertson, 25, and 27-year-old Dylan Ferguson, formerly Hodge, face charges of threatening or abusive behaviour and assault with intent to rob the alleged victim. Both are said to have behaved in a threatening or abusive manner, causing fear and alarm, repeatedly shouting and swearing while brandishing a dog lead, as well as making threats in Allison Street, Ayr and elsewhere on January 5, 2024.
'They saved my life': Rape survivor urges victims to seek help as abuser jailed

4 days ago | ayradvertiser.com | Andy Hamilton

Michael Christie was jailed last month at the High Court in Glasgow after he was found guilty of eight charges following a trial earlier this year. The brave victim of Christie's campaign of sexual assaults and abuse told the Advertiser she felt it was the first time she could breathe with him behind bars, after eventually reporting his behaviour seven years ago.
Man charged with indecent sexual communications and images to 'teenager'

5 days ago | cumnockchronicle.com | Andy Hamilton

Paul O'Connor appeared from custody today (Monday, June 2) after his arrest in Lambfair Gardens at the weekend. He was reportedly involved in a sting involving an online child protection volunteer group. The 48-year-old entered no plea to allegedly causing an older child to look at a sexual image and communicating indecently with an older child during the petition hearing held in private at Ayr Sheriff Court. He was committed for further examination and released on bail.
Teen attacked youngster and attempted to kick him in the head at doorstep

1 week ago | ayradvertiser.com | Andy Hamilton

The 17-year-old, who can't be named for legal reasons due to his age, pleaded guilty to the serious assault when he appeared in court on Monday, May 26. He admitted assaulting another man after attempting to enter the house on Minnoch Crescent, pushing him on the body and pulling him, causing him to fall to the ground. He then repeatedly punched him to the head and attempted to kick him to the head to his injury during the incident on September 14, 2024.
Mum allegedly caused three children to consume cocaine and failed to seek help

1 week ago | ayradvertiser.com | Andy Hamilton

The woman in her 30s, who we have not named to protect the identity of her children, faces charges of exposing the youngsters to harm and possession of the class A drug at her home in Ayr. Prosecutors claim that the accused wilfully exposed the children in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health in December 2023, being a person with parental responsibilities.
Two in court for alleged assaults after woman 'attacked and chased with hammer'

1 week ago | ayradvertiser.com | Andy Hamilton

Danielle Ambrose, 28, and Dillon Forsyth, 26, faced charges of assault, threatening behaviour and breaching bail when they appeared in the dock for a pre-trial hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court on Wednesday, May 28. Forsyth is said to have repeatedly struck a man on the head and body with an umbrella during an incident at Annbank Road on June 20 last year. According to prosecutors, the alleged offence was committed while the accused was out on bail, granted a week earlier at Ayr Sheriff Court.
Sex pest behind bars after leaving a live shotgun shell on woman's doorstep

1 week ago | cumnockchronicle.com | Andy Hamilton

Police rushed to Hareshaw Crescent in Muirkirk after a woman reported that a live shotgun shell had been left on her doorstep. (Image: Newsquest) A SEX pest is behind bars awaiting sentence after leaving a live shotgun shell on the doorstep of a woman's home in Muirkirk. Police rushed to the property in Hareshaw Crescent after being contacted by an alarmed neighbour earlier this year.
Man accused of 'sexual assaults with STD risk' and 'voyeurism' at tanning salon

1 week ago | ayradvertiser.com | Andy Hamilton

Max Johnson faced charges of sexual assault, abusive behaviour and voyeurism when he appeared in the dock at Ayr Sheriff Court this week. According to prosecutors, the 32-year-old attacked one woman by seizing hold of her, throwing her across a room and causing her to land on the floor of an address in Edinburgh on October 11, 2020. It is claimed that he pursued her, seized her by the clothing and pinned her against a railing, and pushed her on the body.
Woman made off with £125 shoplifting haul from Maybole supermarket

1 week ago | ayradvertiser.com | Andy Hamilton

Charlene Taylor pleaded guilty to the single charge of stealing a quantity of groceries and household items from Co-op foodstore, Kirkoswald Road on January 11, 2025. The 37-year-old admitted to the charge when she appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last week - while out on bail granted on February 2 last year at the same court. A procurator fiscal depute told the sheriff that the goods were valued at £125 in total and there had been no recovery of the items.
Cumnock man to stand trial on claims he 'smashed his way into home with scooter'

1 week ago | cumnockchronicle.com | Andy Hamilton

Ayr Sheriff Court (Image: Newsquest) A Cumnock man is set to stand trial over claims he attacked a man and woman in Muirkirk after smashing his way into their home by hurling a scooter through the front window. John Gilmour faces three charges of assault over an alleged incident at a property in the village’s Henderson Drive. One of the charges accuses Gilmour of ‘hamesucken’ – an old Scots legal term that refers to allegedly breaking into someone’s home and assaulting them there.