Man appears over underpass attack

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A man has made his first public court appearance accused of raping and trying to kill an Australian woman.

Michael Marchlewski is alleged to have attacked the 24-year-old as she walked through an Edinburgh underpass in February.

The 21-year-old Polish national appeared during a preliminary hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.

He is alleged to have committed the offences with Tomasz Kryczk, who is now dead. The case was adjourned.

The charges allege the woman was abducted "with intent to commit sexual offences and robbery against her" as she walked through the Telfer Subway towards the Dalry area of Edinburgh on the afternoon of 16 February.

It is claimed she was sprayed in the face with a noxious substance and detained in a makeshift shelter at the rear of industrial units in Orwell Terrace.

The woman was said to have been repeatedly threatened and forced to hand over bank cards which were used at various cash machines.

It is alleged she was subjected to a lengthy sexual assault which it is said caused her to "fear for her life".

It is claimed that she screamed for help, but was forced to the ground and dragged back inside.

Firearms charges

The charge states that on another occasion when she escaped from the shelter, she was caught, had an arm put around her neck until she was unconscious and repeatedly raped to the danger of her life, and that they attempted to murder her.

The woman was allegedly robbed of bank cards, a set of keys, an iPod and other possessions. It is believed her ordeal lasted several hours.

Mr Marchlewski also faces two firearms charges in connection with alleged possession of a pepper fog.

He is also charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice. No pleas were entered during the court hearing on Thursday.

Tony Graham, defending, said inquiries were continuing and asked for a further hearing next month.

Judge Lord MacKay adjourned the case to 23 September at the High Court in Edinburgh.