A man and woman are to stand trial accused of assaulting a child and causing her unnecessary suffering by depriving her of sleep, clothing and food.

Alison Crockett and Shaun Massie denied the charges against them when they appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

Prosecutors claim that on several occasions between April 2013 and November 2014, Crockett pushed the child over, into doors and down a flight of stairs, as well as striking her on the body with a frying pan to her injury.

Crockett, 52, and Massie, 38, are alleged to have carried out "wilful ill-treatment and neglect" against the youngster, who had been in their care and cannot be named for legal reasons, over the same period of time at addresses in the Angus area.

The neglect charge against the pair states that this was "likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury".

Prosecutors claim they forced the girl to carry out tasks unsuitable for her age, deprived her of adequate sleep, clothing and nourishment, allowed her to travel to and from school by bus unaccompanied and left her home alone with a dog that bites her.

Court papers claim the pair also failed to seek medical attention when it was required.

Massie is further accused of assault between June and August 2014 by repeatedly picking up and forcibly throwing the youngster into the rear of a car.

The pair, from the Montrose area, also deny behaving in a threatening and abusive manner by shouting, swearing and making abusive remarks to the child.

The case is to call again next week and the pair are expected to stand trial later this year.