A MAN harassed a female staff member and followed her around an Irvine store while the offender also admitted flailing his arms about, pointing and shouting.

Thomas Pollock, 44, admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner likely to cause fear and alarm during the disturbance in Bourtreehill’s Day-Today Supermarket and the post office at the Village Centre Lower Vennel on February 26 last month.

Bourtreehill shop boss Imran Ali told the Times the offender was previously banned from the store – before returning to cause more bother – adding the team have enough problems of their own without harassment at work.

Court papers state Pollock, of Crofthead, Irvine, shouted, swore and pointed at the woman named on the complaint while she was serving as a retail worker.

He also flailed his arms about and followed her – placing her in a state of fear and alarm.

Pollock pleaded guilty when he appeared in court to face the complaint last week [Thursday, March] – contrary to Section 1 of the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services Scotland Act 2021).

Sheriff Michael Hanlon deferred sentence for a criminal justice social work report and Pollock’s bail was continued. Pollock will return to court at a later date.

Shop boss Imran Ali said: “The individual came instore and was advised he was still banned from the store and had to leave and would not get served.

“He refused to leave the store, shouted and swore at staff. He was advised police would be called, refused to leave the store and insisted the team call the police.

“[He has been] constantly intimidating the team. shouting abuse and swearing as we ll as threatening. Which is a shame as my team are all local and work hard – a lot of girls have started their first jobs in the store so its not a good impression.

“The girls and team work extremely hard and have their own problems and don’t need this kind of abuse. Thankfully there is a new Protection of Workers Act 2021.

He added: “We have hundreds if not thousands of unreported incidents like most convenience stores.”

Any criminality across the Irvine, Kilwinning, Dreghorn or Springside area can be reported to Police Scotland by contacting officers on 101.

In an emergency always dial 999.