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A GALSTON man who committed a sex act on himself in the back seat of a car has been placed on the sex offenders’ register for two years.

Dominic McGrady, 58, was also given two years’ probation when he appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court.

McGrady, of Loudoun Avenue, Galston, was charged under public indecency laws for an offence which occurred on February 8 in a lay-by on the A719 near to Sandyford Toll, on the Ayr bypass.

Defence lawyer Tony Currie told the court that McGrady had been assessed as unsuitable for the sex offenders’ treatment programme.

But Sheriff Jack McGowan said: “That appears to be based on his denial.”

Mr Currie replied: “He doesn’t deny the charge – but he disputes the police account of it.”

Sheriff McGowan said: “Mr McGrady has to be honest with himself and with officers dealing with him.”

The sheriff told McGrady: “I am giving you a probation order for two years.

“That means you will be monitored as a sex offender, and there will be people working on your behaviour.

“If necessary, you will be referred for bereavement counselling.

“If you don’t do these things, you will be back in front of me for breach of probation.

“Or if you commit a further offence, I will have to look at another way of dealing with you.

“So I would ask you to co-operate with the appropriate counselling.”

The court heard that McGrady’s wife died in May this year.

McGrady lives on £60 per week sickness benefit.

He has previous convictions for housebreaking, theft, and assault and robbery.