A WEST Belfast man is to stand trial in the New Year on charges arising from an alleged rape in the Falls Park area of the city.
Gerard Scannell has been charged with, and denies, sexually assaulting and raping a 16-year old boy last summer.
The accused - who is originally from Ballymurphy Road and who is now living at an undisclosed address in another area of Belfast - is facing a total of four charges.
When three charges of raping the teenager on July 16, 2016 were put to the 40-year old at Belfast Crown Court today, he replied 'not guilty.' He also denied a charge of sexually assaulting the youth.
After Scannell entered his 'not guilty' pleas, the court was told that the trial is expected to last around a week.
A date for the start of the trial was set for January 15 2018, with Judge Geoffrey Miller ordering Scannall to attend court on that date. Scannell was then released on contining bail.
