Too many Scots have no respect

It is a tribute to the brave soldiers who gave their lives for this country. What it is not is a public toilet.

But that’s exactly what a war monument in Ayr was used as recently.

I know I’m not the only person to be shocked and outraged by the behaviour of the drunken lout who, following a recent boozy day at the races, urinated on the memorial to Scottish soldiers killed in action.

This sort of behaviour is sickening, but depressingly is becoming more commonplace.

So many people have little or no regard for the sacrifice of others, or any idea of their own history or heritage.

They are utterly selfish.

Veterans have, understandably, been upset and angered by this act of desecration and called it a diabolical act.

This drunken fool not only committed a heinous act and broke the law, but did so in front of men,women and children either passing by or waiting for buses in the square.

There were plenty of places nearby that he could have gone to in order to relieve himself, but he just couldn’t be bothered.

It’s a symptom of the sort of antisocial idiots who spray graffiti, casually toss litter out of their cars, leave picnic areas strewn with rubbish, throw their fast food wrappers in the street and fail to pick up after their dogs.

All of this just erodes our environment and the more we accept it the worse it becomes.

Obviously this disgraceful incident is more extreme and completely unacceptable and I reckon the punishment should fit the crime for these sorts of offences.

Anyone desecrating a war memorial should be severely censored, but also made to do a course with the army and meet with wounded soldiers and bereaved families to hear their stories.

Even the most stupid and hardened yobbo would surely feel disgusted with themselves after such a sobering experience.

Litter louts, graffiti scrawlers and those who won’t make the effort to pick up dog mess should be made to tidy, scrub and clean up the worst areas in their community.

One glimmer of light is that this offender was photographed on a shocked bystander’s mobile phone. Hopefully he will be named and shamed.

His behaviour has sickened us all.