A PRESTWICK man has appeared in court charged with challenging others to fight and making a racist remark while armed with a sledgehammer.

Mark McVey is alleged to have behaved in a threatening or abusive manner while armed with the weapon during an incident on May 2, 2022.

The 52-year-old, of Kildonan House, Arran Park, denies a charge of possessing an offensive weapon in a common close at his address.

He also denies causing fear and alarm by shouting, swearing and making a racist remark.

The charge accuses him of challenging others to fight while he was in possession of the sledgehammer.

The charge includes an aggravation because it is alleged to have involved racist abuse.

Defence solicitor John Gallagher told a brief hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court that his client was pleading not guilty to the charge against him.

Bail was continued and he will return to face the charges at a later date.

All accused persons reported in the Ayr Advertiser are considered innocent unless found or later admit to being guilty.