An Ayr man made vile sexual comments to two teenage girls, asking if they wanted a threesome, after being challenged on his homophobic outburst on a train.

Stephen Gray, 53, was told he will have to register as a sex offender after causing fear and alarm to two 16-year-olds during the train journey from Glasgow to Ayr on March 25 this year.

The Campbell Court resident pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner - aggravated by homophobic abuse – then making indecent sexual comments to two girls aged 16 during the journey.

When he appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court on Monday [May 15] the Procurator Fiscal depute said: “At 7pm both were sat on four seats facing each other, the accused was sat accross.

“He was observed drinking cans of alcohol and appeared intoxicated.

“Mr Gray stated 'I hate poofters'. [One witness] challenged him on that, stating she was gay.

"He added: 'I’m a lesbian, I love women,' then asking if they 'wanted a threesome'.

“[One witness] then advised the accused they were both 16. He then responded 'does that make me a pervert?'.

“That sort of conduct continued and he stated 'he wanted to dominate them'. Another passenger overheard and asked him to stop.

“[One of the girls] contacted her mother by text message, who contacted police. The accused was met by British Transport Police.

“He was cautioned and charged and replied ‘It was just a statement. I wasn’t chatting them up in anyway’.”

Sentencing was deferred for criminal justice social work reports.

Sheriff Shirely Foran said: “Given the nature of the offence you have pleaded guilty to, you will now be liable to the notification requirments of the sex offender registration.

“The full extent will be made known to you on the date you will be given to come back."

Gray, who appeared, represented by defence solicitor Ian Gillies, will return to court for sentencing at a later date.