A young woman sent derogatory, racist comments in an email to her former employers over owed money.

Lauryn Stevenson, 23, admitted sending an email which was grossly offensive or of indecent, obscene or menacing character from her address in Wellbeck Crescent, Troon, last year.

The charge was aggravated by involving racist abuse – with the first offender fined £170 when she appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court recently.

The procurator fiscal depute said: “Ms Stevenson worked at the same company as the complainer, who was HR manager.

“Ms Stevenson left the employer at the beginning of 2022.

“On August 26, 2022 she sent an email stating the following: ‘You are a disgusting manipulative person who likes to move to my country of birth and take money from me.

“'If you wish to keep doing this to people at least move back to whatever smelly hole in England you came from’.”

The court heard the complainer discussed the email with her line manager before police were contacted.

Stevenson was later interviewed at Saltcoats police station then cautioned and charged.

Defence solicitor Steven Maxwell said: “She is 23 and has never been in trouble before. It was sent months after money was owed.

“She felt badly treated and was getting nowhere. In a fit of temper she sent the email and then was spoken to by police.”

Sheriff Shirley Foran fined her £170, reduced from £250 for pleading guilty.

She will also pay £10 to the Scottish Government victim surcharge fund.