Witchcraft charges dropped in Glasgow child abuse case

Allegations of witchcraft have been withdrawn in the trial of 11 people accused of sexually abusing children in Glasgow.

Prosecutors dropped eight of the original 32 charges but allegations of rape and sexual abuse remain against all the accused.

Five are also charged with attempting to murder a young girl.

All 11 accused have denied the allegations at the High Court in Glasgow.

A charge that adults made children participate in classes involving witchcraft and seances was withdrawn when the Crown finished presenting its case on Friday.

The allegation had also stated that they used a Ouija board in order to communicate with spirits and demons.

Iain Owens, 45, Elaine Lannery, 39, Lesley Williams, 41, Paul Brannan, 41, Marianne Gallagher, 38, Scott Forbes, 50, Barry Watson, 47, Mark Carr, 50, Richard Gachagan, 45, Leona Laing, 51, and John Clark, 47, deny all of the allegations against them.

The trial continues and is expected to resume on 23 October when defence lawyers will present their case.