Woman admits masked gun assaults

Sentence on Irvine was deferred for reports at the High Court in Glasgow

A woman has pleaded guilty to carrying out two masked gun attacks in Ayrshire within hours of each other.

Jacqueline Irvine, 43, admitted forcing her way into two houses in Troon in June 2007.

On both occasions she threatened Geraldine McEwan, 29, and Heather Wedlock, 23, and demanded to know the whereabouts of a man called "Deek".

Sentence on Irvine, who is a prisoner at Cornton Vale, was deferred for reports at the High Court in Glasgow.

During the hearing, Irvine admitted assaulting Ms McEwan by forcing her way into her home with her face masked, repeatedly presenting a handgun or imitation handgun at her and threatening to shoot her.

She also pleaded guilty to committing a breach of the peace by entering Ms Wedlock's home with her face masked and in possession of a handgun or imitation handgun.

Irvine's defence solicitor advocate, Liam Ewing, said: "My client tells me the gun was an imitation handgun and was disposed of after the incident. She was very drunk and threw it away."

Temporary judge John Morrice deferred sentence until next month for background reports.