A 20-year-old man has appeared in court in connection with a robbery at Wylie’s Newsagents in Saltcoats.

Mark Allan Douglas Murphy, from Saltcoats, faced a charge of assault and robbery on Monday.

During his appearance in private at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court he made no plea.

Murphy was granted bail and the case was committed for further examination.

The date of his next court appearance is to be announced.

Shortly after the alleged incident at Wylie’s, 71-year-old Tony Ryan rushed to the scene to comfort his partner who was working in the store.

He collapsed and died a short time later at Crosshouse Hospital.