A man who headbutted another man after being told off for kicking a ball into his garden has been jailed for 19 weeks.

William McIntyre, of Dalry’s Lynne Avenue, appeared from custody at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week and pleaded guilty to two charges. His plea of not guilty to a third charge was accepted by the prosecutor.

The court heard that just after 6pm on April 9, a 55-year-old man looked out his window in Dalry and spotted McIntyre kicking a football. The ball landed in the complainer’s front garden.

The man went outside and threw the ball back to McIntyre and asked him to be careful as the garden was a memorial garden. It was not, however, specified in court what the garden was a memorial for.

The complainer noticed that McIntyre, 30, was intoxicated and asked him to move along.

He then went into his garden, but McIntyre climbed over the fence and took hold of the man’s arms.

The complainer’s partner came out and tried to pull McIntyre off. McIntyre punched the complainer to the side of the head and headbutted him. The couple managed to pull McIntyre away, but he picked up a rock and tried to throw it at their living room window.

The complainer grabbed McIntyre’s arm as he was throwing, causing the rock to land in the garden.

A neighbour came out and led McIntyre to a relative’s house further down the street. Police were then contacted.

Defending McIntyre, solicitor Paul Gallagher said: “He has been able for some time to hold down various contracts and jobs self-employed as a scaffolder, which is impressive as he’s had a significant problem with alcohol for most of his adult life.

“It was entirely inexcusable behaviour and I think he recognises that. He took completely the wrong way of being asked to be careful with the ball in the garden.

“His Lord will notice a schedule of previous convictions which is significant, especially with analogous convictions. His earliest date of release is July 2. He doesn’t have any other matters outstanding.

“He understands given the nature of the offence and his previous convictions, his Lord has no their option [than a custodial sentence].

“He hopes that he will be able to go out working again.”

Sheriff Michael Hanlon sentenced McIntyre to 19 weeks imprisonment to run consecutive to the current sentence he is serving.