A man who stole lead from the roof of Ayr's Station Hotel building has been jailed for 13 months.

Thomas Galloway McLean, along with another man, was caught after taking the lead and trying to flee the scene in a car.

McLean, 42, of Ayr's Wilson Street, pleaded guilty to the charge at the town's sheriff court last week.

And while the total amount of lead taken from the roof was only worth around £100, the sheriff said the damage to the building "stretched way beyond the value of the amount taken".

The theft took place just months before the hotel was ravaged by fire last year.

The procurator fiscal spute told the court: "The area is covered by CCTV, mainly by South Ayrshire Council. They were seen on camera.

"At 3am on April 17 last year, two males were observed on the roof stealing lead. They left in a red Ford Focus.

"Police stopped the vehicle in John Street. Around 100 kilos of lead were recovered."

McLean's lawyer told the court: "My client has long standing addiction issues, which have improved considerably.

"There was a period of relapse which led to this incident. He is now hoping for a fresh start with his long term partner."

But the sheriff told McLean: "Maybe the value of the lead was pretty limited, but not so limited that you didn't think it inappropriate to take.

"The damage to the building was significant.

"The sentence will be 18 months, reduced to 13 months because of your guilty plea."

McLean's sentence was backdated to March 1, when he was first remanded in custody.