A CUMNOCK man facing charges of sexually abusive behaviour towards two females is not yet able to stand trial because of ill health, a court has heard.

David William De-Sykes faces trial on claims of indecent and sexual assaults against two complainers alleged to have taken place at locations across the area since 2006.

A hearing at Ayr Sheriff Court last week was told that Mr De-Sykes is currently in hospital.

It’s alleged that the 42-year-old, of Cairnscadden Road, Cumnock, sexually assaulted the first complainer on various occasions between January 2006 and December 2007 in the town.

Court papers allege the accused struck and touched the woman’s buttocks.

A second charge accuses him of inserting his hand into the same woman's clothing and touching her buttocks between January 2010 and December 2011.

 

A third charge alleges that he sexually assaulted the same woman by repeatedly striking and touching her backside between January 2015 and March 24, 2021.

The accused faces a charge of causing a second complainer fear and alarm by removing his own clothing in front of her on various occasions during March 2020.

It’s claimed he sexually assaulted her by striking her buttocks during an incident that same months.

The Crown also accuses Mr De-Sykes, in a sixth charge, of assaulting the first of the two complainers on March 25, 2022 by grabbing her, holding her down and kissing her, then struggling with her and sexually assaulting her by touching her legs and breasts.

Last week's hearing was told that Mr De-Sykes continues to deny the allegations; he remains on bail until a trial can take place.

Mr De-Sykes' solicitor, Hugh Duncan, told Sheriff Shirley Foran: "He remains in hospital. He is very unwell.

"The most recent update is that he has pretty much been in hospital consistently. A week into February he was released, then he was admitted to hospital and has been deteriorating even further."

Sheriff Foran deferred the hearing for several weeks to see how the situation develops.