Court / Man to stand trial for alleged rape of teenage girl
Content warning: This story contains details of rape and sexual abuse. If you have been affected by these issues, help is available.
A MAN who allegedly sexually assaulted and raped a teenage girl is to stand trial next year.
David Sherwood, 58, has denied the charges, which are said to have occurred at different addresses in Shetland between October 2022 and May 2023.
One of the five charges is that Sherwood allegedly raped the 16-year-old, which includes claims of making threats.
He is further said to put the girl in fear and alarm – among the accusations is that he brandished a pole and chased the child.
Sherwood is also said to have repeatedly tickled the teenager on her body, and is separately accused of making “sexualised comments” to the child and two other girls.
The case called for a short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow today (Monday).
Iain Paterson, defending, said: “He pleads not guilty to the indictment.”
Judge Douglas Brown set the trial for the earliest opportunity, in February 2027 in Edinburgh.
The case could last around five days.
Sherwood, also of Shetland, remains on bail meantime.
By Glasgow Court Press Agency
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