A MAN has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman in Muirkirk after allegedly punching her in the head and stomach.

Gary Kerr pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and threatening or abusive behaviour during a brief hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court.

The 45-year-old is alleged to have assaulted the woman by repeatedly punching her on the head at an address in the village on November 10 last year.

It's claimed that Mr Kerr then seized the woman by the hair, punched her in the stomach, and lay on top of her while punching her to the head.

The Crown's indictment alleges that he then sexually assaulted the woman, and that he caused her fear and alarm by shouting, swearing and using abusive names.

Mr Kerr’s solicitor told Sheriff Shirley Foran that his client, who was described in court papers as a prisoner at HMP Kilmarnock, was pleading not guilty to the charges.

The court was also told that Mr Kerr would be relying on a special defence of consent on the sexual assault allegation.

Mr Kerr, who appeared via video link for the initial pre-trial hearing on July 10, will be brought to court to face the allegations again at a later date.

All accused persons reported in the Cumnock Chronicle are considered innocent unless they are later found, or admit to being, guilty.