A THREE Towns man allegedly obtained £12,000 through a fraudulent scheme after claiming to be selling a car.

Gary Docherty pleaded not guilty last week to forming a fraudulent scheme, allegedly in Barbieston Road, Auchinleck, TCC Cars, Factory Place, Saltcoats and elsewhere between October 1, 2021 and January 31, 2022.

The 46-year-old is said to have obtained money from a man, pretending to him that he would sell a motor vehicle, named as a Peugeot 308, for £14,995.

Prosecutors claim he requested the man pay a £9,000 deposit, then a further £1,000, inducing him to pay £10,000 initially.

Court papers state Docherty then pretended the vehicle was detained in Ireland, and induced the alleged victim to hand over more cash, allegedly requesting £1,500 to release the car.

It is claimed that he asked for a further £500 to transport the vehicle with "the truth being, as you well knew, you did not intend to provide the vehicle, obtaining £12,000 by fraud".

Defence solicitor John Gallagher said his client pleaded not guilty to the charge during a hearing last week at Ayr Sheriff Court (on Thursday, October 17).

Docherty, of Wheatley Road, Saltcoats, was ordained to appear in court at a later date.