AN ALVA man has appeared in court this week charged with assaulting another man with a knife more than 18 months ago.

The 23-year-old pleaded not guilty on Tuesday (16 June) during a brief hearing at Alloa Sheriff Court.

He stands accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing, uttering threats of violence, strike a door in a property in Dalmore Drive, Alva, and did act in a threatening manner whilst in possession of a knife.

He is then alleged to have assaulted another man by striking him on the hand with the knife, to his injury.

The accused faces separate charges of knife possession and of damaging property with the knife during the same incident which is alleged to have taken place on 21 December 2013.

His defence agent informed Sheriff Gillian Wade, presiding, his client will be relying on a special defence of self-defence in relation to the assault charge.

The case will go to trial on sometime during the week beginning June 30.