A WEMYSS bay man charged with punching his partner and a 60-year-old woman on their heads whilst holding a baby has been locked up.

James Johnstone carried out the assaults within a house in the village last Sunday as he clutched a one-year-old child, is is alleged.

Johnstone, 34, was refused bail on grounds of his criminal record, which includes a string of domestically aggravated offences.

He offered a plea of guilty to acting aggressively and making offensive remarks towards the women and denied the alleged assaults but this wasn't accepted by the Crown.

Prosecutor Pamela Brady told Greenock Sheriff Court: "Bail is opposed on grounds of the accused's schedule of previous convictions for domestically aggravated offences.

"These include assault to injury and threatening or abusive behaviour.

"There have also been failures to attend court.

"There were domestically aggravated offences in June and September of 2019 which resulted in custodial sentences."

Defence lawyer Edel McGinty told the court that being remanded in custody would cost her client his job and tenancy.

Miss McGinty said: "The last date of offending does date back more than two years.

"Mr Johnstone has a history of difficulties with alcohol.

"This has been the underlying cause of his offending behaviour."

Sheriff Michael Higgins remanded Johnstone, of Etive Road in Wemyss Bay, in custody until the case calls again next month.

The sheriff told him: "I do not consider that you are a suitable candidate for bail.

"Your record shows a number of offences for violence and disorder, and also offences whilst on bail."

The case is due to call again on December 7, ahead of a trial scheduled for December 20.