A PENSIONER is to stand trial charged with the rape and murder of a missing woman.

George Metcalff, 70, is accused of killing Patricia Henry on November 17, 2017.

Prosecutors claim he attacked 46-year-old Ms Henry – known as Patti – by “means unknown.”

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Metcalff is then charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice between the day of the alleged murder and February 22, 2018.

This lists an accusation that he did “conceal and dispose” of Ms Henry's body, again by unknown means.

The indictment features a number of other charges, including the rape of Ms Henry.

This is said to have taken place between January 2008 and October 2011 at an address in Paisley.

He faces a separate accusation of sexually assaulting her while she was sleeping in December 2014.

Metcalff also allegedly physically attacked her by choking her in October 2017.

The remaining accusations date back to June 1971 and involve four other women.

This includes the alleged rape of a woman at the Gleniffer Braes, in Paisley, and in Kilbarchan.

Metcalff is alleged to have carried out the same crime on another woman between October 1989 and December 2004.

He is accused of physical assaults on the other two women.

The alleged murder of Ms Henry, formerly of Paisley, is said to have taken place at her flat in Girvan, Ayrshire.

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Metcalff's QC, Iain McSporran, pled not guilty on his behalf during a short hearing at the High Court in Glasgow today.

He added: “There are ongoing discussions in what is a substantial case but both the defence and prosecution are content for a trial to be set.”

Mr McSporran estimated the case would last for around four weeks.

Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC said “work continues” but that would not prevent a trial being arranged.

Lord Matthews set a date for the trial, which is due to begin in June.

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