A BLADE attack accused charged with knifing a man to his severe injury is due to stand trial later this year.

Charles Barr maintained a not guilty plea to a single charge of serious assault with the weapon when he appeared in the dock for a first diet hearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Tuesday, November 19.

Barr, from Beith, denied committing the alleged offence at an address in Kilbirnie on September 12 last year.

Sheriff James Varney continued the case to a trial before a jury next month, remanding Barr in custody until then.

The 46-year-old will also be sentenced in relation to a further three charges which he previously pleaded guilty to.

Barr admitted a separate charge in relation to engaging in a course of conduct, in Kilbirnie and elsewhere, which caused a woman fear or alarm.

Court papers stated that he done so by repeatedly approaching her, entering her dwelling house without consent to do so, attempting to kiss her without permission, preventing her from moving away from him, repeatedly whistling at her and following her.

Prosecutors added that he repeatedly made attempts to speak to her despite requests not to and that Barr followed her into a friend's home which he refused to leave.

Barr also pleaded guilty to a further two charges of breaching bail curfew conditions after an order was granted on September 13 last year.

On October 11 and on two occasions on October 16, 2023, he was found out with his home address between the hours of 7pm-7am.

Sentence will be passed on all matters following the conclusion of his trial in December.