AN ALLOA man appeared in court this week charged with assault and robbery.

The 36-year-old maintained his plea of not guilty during a hearing at Alloa Sheriff Court on Monday (23 February).

He is accused of seizing hold of a woman, struggling with her, head butting her repeatedly on the head, to her injury, before robbing her of prescription medication and a purse containing a sum of money.

The alleged offence is reported to have taken place on 23 November 2013 at his home address in Alloa.

He faces a separate charge of stealing a purse on 3 May 2014 and for failing to appear before court on 7 October 2014.

With regards to the later purse theft, he has lodged a special defence of incrimination and has a defence of ‘a reasonable excuse’ for failing to turn up for court.

The accused is to face trial for assault and robbery on 17 March and will appear the following day for the other two charges.

He has already admitted to possession of cannabis and for failing to turn up at court on a separate occasion.

He will be sentenced on those matters, following the outcome of the other trials.