Police Officer To Stand Trial

A Police officer allegedly forced a woman into a sex act after threatening to report her for a drugs offence.

Mark Docherty faced the accusation at the High Court in Glasgow.

The 27 year-old is charged - that while in his duties as a serving officer - he carried out a search on a woman in a close at a property in Paisley, Renfrewshire in April 2010.

It is claimed Docherty, of Greenock, then hid the drug valium in a tissue in his hand and pretended to find it in her pocket.

The indictment states that in reference to the woman's daughter he told her that she "had too much to lose".

Docherty is said to have then exposed himself, told the woman to perform a sex act and that, if she did not, he would report her for having drugs.

It is also alleged he would have her daughter taken from her.

The accusation concludes that he did "intimidate" the woman and also threaten to have her arrested if he saw her again in the west end of Paisley.

Docherty faces a further allegation of molesting a second woman in September 2010 - also in Paisley - while apparently carrying out a drugs search.

His lawyer Tony Graham entered not guilty pleas to the two indecent assault charges on Docherty's behalf.

Judge Lady Rae set a trial which is due to begin in June. The case is expected to last up to five days.

Docherty's bail was continued until then.