A MAN facing six charges - including assaulting Irvine pub staff and masturbating in the back of a police van - will stand trial in June.

Sonny McDonagh appeared from custody at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court last week but was quickly removed from the courtroom after giving the sheriff lip.

The 25-year-old had requested his original defence solicitor no longer represented him, leaving him without a lawyer, before calling Sheriff Colin Bissett a “f***ing steamer” when told to remain seated in the dock.

Mr McDonagh, listed in court papers as a resident of Acacia Drive in Beith, is accused of acting in a disorderly manner at The Crown Inn and in High Street, Irvine on April 23 this year when he allegedly refused to leave the pub, shouted and swore and acted aggressively towards two employees.

He is said to have assaulted a female member of staff by punching her on the head, while it’s also claimed that he struggled violently with a male employee leading to his injury.

He then allegedly shouted, swore and acted aggressively towards police officers, before resisting, obstructing and hindering two officers by tensing his arms and struggling with them.

On April 24, during the course of a journey from Saltcoats police station to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock, Mr McDonagh is also charged with engaging in sexual activity within a marked police vehicle by masturbating in the presence of police officers.

The accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

A new trial date was set for June 22 after last Thursday’s hearing was delayed when Mr McDonagh demanded to see CCTV of the incidents.

He was remanded in custody.