Former Scotland rugby star, 39, to go on trial charged with rape, controlling and abusing a woman over a 14-year period

Former Scotland rugby international Tim Visser will stand trial in court on charges of raping, controlling and abusing a woman.

The accusations against Visser cover a 14-year period stemming from 2010 to 2024 and are said to have happened in Edinburgh and elsewhere. He has pleaded not guilty.

The trial date has been set for January 12, 2028 in the Scottish capital.

Two of the charges state that Visser raped the woman on multiple occasions - and include claims that he had sex with her after consent had been withdrawn.

Another charge against the 39-year-old alleges that he repeatedly behaved in a threatening and abusive manner towards the woman. He is also accused of taking 'intimate images' of her without her consent and sending one to someone else.

Visser, who won 39 caps for Scotland, was said to have been aggressive, hounded her with calls and texts, demanded to know where she was, controlled her appearance, finances and what she wore and ate.

Prosecutors also allege he isolated her from family and friends and that he was physically violent.

A fourth charge states he engaged in a course of abusive behaviour against the woman on various occasions.

In total, there are 26 different claims against Visser. A number are similar to the threatening behaviour allegation but also include a string of sexual matters.

The indictment states the prosecution may lead evidence about other matters dating back to 2004 - which include physical and sexual incidents, threats and controlling behaviour. However, these are not formal charges at this stage.

At the High Court hearing in Glasgow, Ian Duguid, defending, said: 'It is a plea of not guilty to the indictment.'

Visser was born in the Netherlands but represented Scotland over a five-year period between 2012 and 2017, scoring 14 tries for his adopted country.

Visser, who could play on the wing or at full-back, played for Newcastle Falcons - now Newcastle Red Bull - Edinburgh Rugby and Harlequins. He retired from the sport in 2019.