An Irvine man has been arrested and charged for allegedly sending indecent messages to an older child.

Nickolas Merriman, 34, faced the allegations this week after being arrested in the Bourtreehill area of Irvine over the weekend.

Police confirmed a man was arrested after officers were called out to an address on Saturday with a small crowd of individuals gathered outside.

When Merriman appeared in private in court on Monday, he faced a charge of communicating indecently with an older child between the ages of 13 and 16.

He faced a second allegation of intentionally travelling or making arrangements to travel to meet a child following prior contact.

Merriman entered no plea to the charges and committed for further examination. He was granted bail and will return to court at a later date.

A police spokesperson said: “Around 12.40pm on Saturday, 24 April, officers were called following a report of a small number of people gathered outside a property.

"Officers attended and the individuals dispersed peacefully.

"Following the incident, a 34-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with communications offences. He is expected to appear in court today.”