Hawick pensioner denies raping girl aged under 13

Edward Swan is also charged with lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards another young female.

The 74-year-old of Fairhurst Drive, faces a total of seven charges.

They involve two counts of rape including one involving a girl who was under 13 years of age at the time.

Swan is accused of two sexual assault offences on females under 13 and another three counts of lewd, libidinous practices and behaviour towards two girls.

The offences are alleged to have been committed over a 15 year period between 2002 and 2017.

Swan has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The case called as a preliminary hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh last Thursday and was continued until the trial date on August 10.