Rape accused Pc 'visited woman'

The court heard Mr Stewart said he had gone to McDonalds

A police constable was caught on CCTV visiting a woman's flat at the same time as he is alleged to have raped her, a court has heard.

Dean Stewart, 35, denies raping three women and indecently assaulting another six between 1998 and 2004.

The High Court in Glasgow was shown CCTV footage of Mr Stewart walking up to the woman's flat in Irvine.

In a special defence he has admitted having sex with the Irvine woman, claiming it was with her consent.

Pc Elizabeth Paterson, 33, was Mr Stewart's partner on the day he is alleged to have raped the woman in February last year.

The court heard that the pair had visited the woman's flat the day before the alleged offence to deal with a complaint that she had been making nuisance phone calls and sending text messages to another woman.

Morning visit

The following morning, recently married Mr Stewart, from Paisley, had told Pc Paterson he was going to a McDonalds eatery to get breakfast.

She said he returned to the office about 30 to 45 minutes later.

The court was then shown the CCTV footage.

Constable Paterson told Alan Mackay, prosecuting, that Mr Stewart would have had no reason to visit the address that Sunday morning.

After her shift ended, an "upset" Mr Stewart phoned her to tell her the woman had made a rape allegation against him.

The trial continues.