A KILWINNING man has been held in custody accused of firearms and assault charges after a drive-by shooting late last year.

George McKnight, 28, appeared from custody for his second hearing last month [Thursday, December 17] after his arrest for alleged involvement in an incident in Hawthorn Crescent.

McKnight faces two charges of assault, an allegation of robbery, possessing a firearm with intent to injure and a charge of carrying a firearm with criminal intent.

McKnight entered no plea to the five charges when he returned to Kilmarnock Sheriff Court and was fully committed during the hearing.

He was remanded in custody and will return to court at a later date.

A Police Scotland spokesperson previously said: “A man has been arrested and charged in connection with a report of an alleged firearm being discharged towards a 53-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man in Beith.

“The incident happened on Hawthorn Crescent in the town, around 1.15am on Thursday, December 3, and nobody was injured.

“Enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances.”

Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 – In an emergency 999