A sheriff has issued a warrant for the arrest of a man accused of endangering a woman's life by injecting her with insulin.

Andrew McKay, 32, is said to have injured the alleged victim, Kelly McCallum, by injecting her with the diabetes control hormone at an address in Shieldhill, Falkirk, on April 12, 2014.

It is alleged that the incident was either an assault or alternatively an act of culpable recklessness.

McKay of Nisbet Drive, Denny, Stirlingshire, faces a second charge alleging that on the same date and at the same address, he assaulted Ms McCallum to her injury and to the danger of her life by repeatedly pushing her, repeatedly seizing hold of her hair and pulling her by the hair, and repeatedly punching her on the head.

McKay who has previously entered pleas of not guilty to the charges, failed to appear at a preliminary hearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court on Tuesday, which had been set to ensure that all was ready for his trial by jury at a sitting commencing on January 18.

His solicitor, Gordon Addison, told the court: "I have not seen or heard from him for weeks."

Depute fiscal Jemma Eadie said: "Standing the nature of the charges, this is a Crown motion for a warrant."

Sheriff John Mundy granted the warrant for McKay's arrest.