A Three Towns man has appeared in court charged with making violent threats towards a neighbour.

Gordon Sawyers, 44, denies accusations around an alleged incident with his neighbours in St Lawrence Place in Saltcoats earlier this year.

The first charge alleges that Mr Sawyers placed his foot within a doorway to prevent a man and woman from closing the door at a property in the street on May 15, and that he shouted at both while challenging the man to a fight.

Mr Sawyers faces a second charge of allegedly spitting at the woman, shouting and swearing at her, and demanding to see her mobile phone.

A third charge alleges that he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner towards the woman by shouting, swearing and making violent threats.

Mr Sawyers pleaded not guilty to all the charges during a brief hearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court; he will return to court at a later date.