An Irvine man is facing allegations of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl – and of making and possessing indecent images of child abuse.

John Barker pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him during a hearing at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court this week.

The 66-year-old also denies further charges of sending sexual messages to the same girl and of behaving threateningly towards her.

It’s alleged that the accused took, or permitted to be taken, indecent photographs of children at an address in Irvine’s High Street between November 3, 2017 and September 21, 2019, and that he was in possession of indecent images between the same dates.

The Crown’s indictment claims that he intentionally touched the girl sexually by touching her on the leg on October 13, 2018 and that he then sexually assaulted her for the purposes of obtaining sexual gratification or of humiliating, distressing or alarming her.

READ MORE: Knife thug mugged four young men in Irvine underpass as victims 'froze with fear'

Mr Barker, of Hunter Drive, is accused of sending a message to the same girl of an inappropriate and sexual nature, and an image depicting a sex aid device, between June 6 and 11, 2019.

It’s further alleged that he behaved in a threatening and abusive manner towards the girl by placing a sexual aid device on her on June 12, 2019.

Defence solicitor Peter Murray told Sheriff Alistair Watson that his client was pleading not guilty to all the charges.

Procurator fiscal depute Craig Wainwright told the court that the Crown was ready for the case to go to trial, with two civilian witnesses and four police witnesses set to give evidence for the prosecution; Mr Murray said there were “no defence witnesses to intimate” ahead of the trial.

A trial date was set for later in the year, with a further preliminary hearing to take place to consider how to present evidence in court after Sheriff Watson raised concerns around potential distress to witnesses.

Mr Barker’s bail was continued.