Beauty contest organiser accused of rape

THE organiser of a beauty competition that attracted 2,000 Scottish entrants appeared in court yesterday accused of rape.

Paul Reilly, 37, of Drumpellier Avenue, Coatbridge, denies raping a woman at a flat in Glasgow's Merchant City on 28 March. He is alleged to have removed her clothing and raped her while she was asleep and under the influence of alcohol and incapable of giving or withholding her consent.

At the High Court in Glasgow yesterday, his solicitor lodged a special defence of consent. Trial has been set for April.

Reilly was the co-organiser of the Scottish Ubergirl competition, which offered a prize of a one-year modelling contract and 10,000.