Lawyer in the dock after flashing claim

Mark Strachan, 47, faces a prison term if convicted on the charge of committing an indecent act.

Police were called to McArthur Glen in Livingston after the alleged incident against a 13-year-old boy on February 13.

Strachan, who is married and owns a flat in Linlithgow and is also believed to have a home near Insch in Aberdeenshire, appeared at Linlithgow Sheriff Court on Tuesday.

He made no plea to the charge of lewd, indecent and libidinous behaviour and was freed on bail.

His lawyer Iain Smith said: "My client denies the charge."

After working as a solicitor in Aberdeen, Strachan became an advocate in 2004.

His entry on the website of his professional body, the Faculty of Advocates, says he works in the appeal courts, in criminal trials and in employment and industrial relations cases.

The senior lawyer is understood to have earned 11,500 from the taxpayer for Legal Aid work undertaken last year, but it is believed he makes significantly in excess of this from work with private clients.

Strachan is believed to be still working in the courts in spite of the allegation.