An Irvine copper found himself in cuffs after a string of domestic abuse.

Iain Pittams, who was a sergeant at Irvine’s Divisional Road Policing Unit, admitted to violent abusive behaviour towards three different partners spanning from 1991 to 2017.

Pittams, 49, pled guilty to three charges of assault and one of threatening or abusive behaviour when he appeared before Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Wednesday last week.

Pittams, admitted assaulting his first wife on numerous occasions between January 1, 1991 and December 31, 1993.

He admitted seizing her by the clothing, pushing and pulling her, pushing her, kicking her and throwing a drawer and its contents at her at addresses in Newmilns and Gatehead.

He assaulted another woman who was then his wife on numerous occasions, by punching and pulling her and throwing a metal clothes horse at the woman at Bellvue Road, Kilmarnock between September 1, 2001 and June 30, 2004.

While staying in a holiday cottage on the Isle of Harris he assaulted a third partner by pushing her on the body and causing her to fall onto a bed, as well as striking her on the body with a door on September 15, 2011.

On various occasions between September 15, 2011 and March 17, 2017 at an address in Goukscroft Park, Ayr, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner towards the same woman by repeatedly shouting, swearing, belittling the same partner and contacting her and attending her address uninvited.

The case was adjourned for reports and bail was continued.

Pittams, who is now residing in Mote Hill, Hamilton, will return to court for sentencing at a later date.

Police Scotland confirmed he is no longer serving but did not wish to comment.