Man denies Lerwick rape claims
A Danish man is accused of raping a woman in Lerwick.
Lasse Larsen allegedly attacked her at a house in the town on 27th July last year.
The accusation includes claims the 30-year-old pressed the woman against a wall and put his hand over her mouth.
Larsen’s lawyer John Keenan pleaded not guilty on his client’s behalf during a short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow on Monday.
Larsen was not present for the case.
Mr Keenan said: “He is resident in Denmark and clearly travel arrangements would have been difficult at this time.”
Both he and prosecutor Greg Farrell told the court they were ready for a trial to be set.
However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, this was not possible at the minute.
Lady Stacey instead adjourned until a further hearing to take place in September.
The judge said: “Hopefully at that date a trial can be fixed.”
By Grant McCabe