A woman is to stand trial accused of dragging a toddler along the ground at a busy town shopping centre.

Jodie Mitchell (26) is accused of assaulting a two-year-old girl at Falkirk’s Central Retail Park on 6 February this year.

She is alleged to have assaulted the girl by dragging her along the ground, seizing her by her head and lifting her from the ground and shaking her by the body.

An alternative charge claims she behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear and alarm by dragging the youngster along the ground, shouting and swearing at her and behaving in an aggressive manner towards her.

Mitchell, of Laurieston Gardens, Selkirk, failed to appear when her case was called today (Wednesday 29 April) at Falkirk Sheriff Court.

Her lawyer told the court that she was “unwell” and had a doctor’s certificate.

He stressed that Mitchell was pleading not guilty to the charge.

Sheriff Christopher Shead continued the case for trial on 29 May.