A MAN who asked the court to have his curfew varied so that he could attend the Grand Prix at Silverstone had his application denied.

The court was told that Alan Coupland of Indale Avenue, Prestwick originally appeared before Sheriff Desmond Leslie on May 17, on an assault charge.
Coupland had pleaded guilty to assaulting a man in the course of his employment at a licensed premises in Troon. 

The 28-year-old repeatedly attempted to gain entry to the pub, by pushing his victim, struggling with him, punching him and knocking him to the ground all to his injury.

He was placed on a community payback order under supervision for one year and had a restriction of liberty order from May, 17 until July 17, 2016 daily from 8pm until 7am.

Coupland appeared before Sheriff Leslie at Ayr Sheriff Court again on Tuesday, July 5.

His defence lawyer Peter Lockhart explained to the Sheriff that: "Mr Coupland had forgotten to disclose to me that he and his fiancee had booked tickets to attend the Grand Prix for July 10.

"The tickets had been purchased on December 23, 2015."

Mr Lockhart produced documentation that showed £277 for the tickets had been spent. Coupland had booked a hotel for Saturday, July 9 for the sum of £65.

For another two nights he had booked accommodation near the track from Sunday, July 10 to Tuesday, July 12 for £190.

Coupland was told by Sheriff Leslie that had it not been for Mr Lockhart, he would have been serving a prison sentence and therefore would not be at Silverstone whatever happened.

Sheriff Leslie said: "The curfew and CPO was a direct alternative to prison. Your application is refused."