AN IRVINE woman is set to stand trial after denying that she was abusive towards her ex-partner.

Lucy Allmark will return to Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in the new year after she maintained her not guilty plea to one charge during a brief first diet hearing on Tuesday, November 19.

The 29-year-old is accused of engaging in a course of behaviour which was abusive of her then partner or ex-partner.

Court papers state that Allmark removed a mobile phone from the alleged female victim's possession, repeatedly punching her on the head and body.

It is further claimed that she repeatedly seized hold of the woman by the body, dragged her to the ground and kneeled on her and repeatedly kicked her to the head and body.

The Crown also claims that Allmark seized hold of her ex-partner by the hair and struck her on the neck with a knife.

The offence is alleged to have taken place at an address in Dalry between April 22 and 26 this year and it is claimed that Allmark caused injury to the woman as a result.

Defence solicitor David McCaig told the court that he is ready for trial with a defence statement now lodged.

He said he expects the trial to last around two days and does not intend to call any defence witnesses.

Prosecutor Craig Wainwright stated that the Crown intend to call two civilian witnesses - both of whom have been written to though are yet to respond.

In spite of this, Sheriff James Varney set a trial date for next year with the case continued until then.