An arrest warrant was issued after a woman who allegedly attacked a 14-year-old girl at a railway station failed to appear in court.

Catherine Pollock, 39, faces charges of assault and threatening and abusive behaviour during an incident at Prestwick Town railway station on December 22 last year - and allegedly later stealing a pair of jeans from a charity shop.

However an arrest warrant was issued today [Thursday, September 29] after the accused failed to appear for trial as well as a community payback order review at Ayr Sheriff Court.

Ms Pollock, described in court papers as a resident of Charlotte Street, Ayr, is alleged to have punched the girl on the head to her injury.

The charges also allege that Ms Pollock acted in an aggressive manner and shouted during the incident.

A separate charge against Ms Pollock claims that she stole a pair of jeans from the British Heart Foundation shop on Ayr High Street on March 10 this year.

Not guilty pleas were entered to all the charges when the case called last month at Ayr Sheriff Court. Bail was continued for Ms Pollock, previously of Gigha Wynd, Irvine.

When she was due to appear in court today, her defence solicitor told Sheriff Siobhan Connolly she was not present for proceedings.

Sheriff Connolly said: "That is really frustrating" after "some progress had been made" referring to social work reports for the accused's review.

She issued a warrant to apprehend the accused.

Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 with any information on criminality in the area – in an emergency always dial 999.