Four young men face charges of serious assault and weapon possession after a man was 'kicked to the head' and 'struck with a knife' in Ayr.

Aiden Dickie, 20, Thomas O'Neil, 22, John O'Neil, 19, and Shane O'Neil, 29, appeared together in the dock to deny a series of allegations in connection with an incident at MacAdam Square in February 26 last year.

It's alleged that Dickie and Thomas O'Neil assaulted the man after pursuing him and that they repeatedly struck him with a knife on the body.

Court papers allege they then kicked him on the head to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

The charge states Mr Dickie was the subject of a bail order granted on December 19, 2022.

All four are alleged to have behaved in a threatening or abusive manner in the same location and in Church Street, by shouting, uttering threats, brandishing weapons and pursuing the same man and two others.

Thomas O'Neil and Shane O'Neil each face a charge of possessing a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public article, namely a knife, in MacAdam Square.

Mr Dickie faces further charges of breaching bail conditions by allegedly being outwith his bail address during curfew hours on June 5 and 21 last year.

Shane O'Neil faces a charge of being outwith his bail address during curfew hours on July 17, 2023.

Bail was refused for Mr Dickie, MacAdam Place, Ayr, who was then returned to custody.

Bail was continued for Thomas O'Neil, of Lochside Road, Ayr, John O'Neil, of Leeds Road, Shipley, and Shane O'Neil, of Haining Avenue, Kilmarnock.

They will return to face the allegations again at a later date.

All accused persons reported in the Ayr Advertiser are considered innocent unless later found or admit to being guilty.