A MAN is to stand trial charged with the murder of a mother.

John Higgins allegedly killed Amanda McAlear, 50, at her flat in Glasgow's Barmulloch on May 7 last year.

The 63-year-old faces separate accusations of earlier assaulting and raping another woman as well as physical attacks on children.

The murder charge claims Amanda was punched and kicked or had blunt force injuries inflicted on her. She is further said to have been choked.

Higgins then faces an accusation of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

It is claimed he left the flat in Barmulloch without getting help for Amanda and travelled to another property in the city's Knightswood, where he stayed overnight.

The indictment states Higgins also got a relative to wash an item of clothing worn during the alleged murder.

Higgins faces a number of other charges spanning between 1993 and 2019 at addresses in Knightswood as well as Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire.

This includes accusations that he assaulted a woman to her severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of her life.

Prosecutors further claim Higgins also raped her.

A number of children were also allegedly assaulted.

This includes accusations of punching, kicking and slapping with one said to have been thrown against a wall.

Lawyers for Higgins pleaded not guilty on his behalf during a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

A trial was fixed and is due to begin in late July 2024.