A TEENAGER is facing trial for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl who later died.

The 17-year-old, who appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow on Friday last week is alleged to have raped the girl on various occasions between February 1, 2016 and September 10, 2017.

These were alleged to have taken place at various addresses in Irvine, including Knadgerhill Cemetery.

It is claimed by prosecutors that the 17-year-old struck the girl on her head and body before raping her.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons due to his age, is also alleged to have raped the 14-year-old at a wooded area in Irvine on January 16, 2017.

It is claimed that he raped the girl after punching her on the head, seizing her by the hair, pulling her to the ground, restraining her, kneeling on her arms and then removing her lower clothing.

A third charge of sexually abusing the girl in a wooded area in Irvine on September 11, 2017 was withdrawn by the prosecutor Bill McVicar.

Defence counsel Jennifer Bain told the court her client pled not guilty to the charges he faces.

Judge Lord Beckett set a trial for April next year.