Man in court on rape charge

A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with rape, attempted murder and abduction after a woman was attacked in her own home.

The 39-year-old victim was left "seriously traumatised" after an attacker entered her house at around 5am on Saturday.

It is claimed she was threatened and then raped during the alleged incident in her house in Livingston.

John Robert Alexander McKeown, from Livingston, appeared at the town's Sheriff Court.

He was charged with abduction, assault and rape, assault and attempted murder and breach of the peace, the Crown Office said.

The 22-year-old was remanded in custody and there was no plea or declaration.

Police launched a major operation at the weekend with detectives from Operation Federal, the dedicated sexual crimes unit in West Lothian. High-visibility patrols and door to door enquiries were also carried out in the area.