THE former president of a college student association accused of rigging his own election is to face trial in the New Year.

Liam Williams, 22, is accused of "forming a fraudulent scheme to obtain the position of student president at Forth Valley College and to obtain funding that would be given to the holder of said office".

It is alleged that between February 28th and July 23rd last year, "in pursuance of said scheme" Williams activated a number of student accounts using details of students who were registered with the college without their knowledge or consent, and used those accounts to cast votes for himself to be elected as student president and for Lindsay Graham to be elected as student vice president.

The charge alleges that as a result of the fraud, both he and Mr Graham were elected, and Williams was awarded £1595.86 in cash.

At Falkirk Sheriff Court on December 14, solicitor Murray Aitken said Williams, of Alex Shepherd Drive, Kincardine, maintained his not guilty plea.

A trial was fixed for February. Mr Graham is not charged with wrong-doing.