Two Ayr men caught raiding bins behind a charity shop in the town have admitted it looked as if they were planning to steal from the property.

Lee Cook, 47, and 18-year-old Ben Pettigrew targeted the bins at the Ayrshire Hospice shop on Crown Street in the early hours of December 7 last year.

The pair pleaded guilty to being within the curtilage of a premises without lawful authority in circumstances where it could be reasonably inferred that they intended to commit a theft.

The duo were discovered at the rear of the premises at 4.30am.

Cook’s solicitor told the town’s sheriff court both were only there to look for discarded items, but admitted how it looked.

The Russell Drive resident was told if he showed good behaviour he would likely be admonished – while Pettigrew, of Chalmers Road, was not present when his plea was entered last week [Wednesday, August 17].

The procurator fiscal depute said: “Police attended and observed the accused within the curtilage of the backyard area of the charity shop.

“Police spoke to the accused, who said they were ‘just in for a wander’.

They added: “We weren’t doing anything bad, just looking through the bins.”

The fiscal depute added: “They were informed it was private property belonging to the charity shop.

“The accused was arrested, cautioned and charged.”

Cook’s solicitor said: “The accused was looking for refuse that would be of value to him but discarded by others.

“He accepts my lady given the circumstances certain conclusions could be drawn from his presence there – but he wasn’t there to commit theft.”

Sentence on Cook, who the court heard had a long-term partner and a 16-year-old child, was deferred for three months.