Police have launched an investigation following allegations of rape in Alloa and Stirling last year.

Officials from Police Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) both confirmed the inquiry was underway and that an arrest had been made as a result.

Stirling News has learned that a 32-year-old man, believed to be from Clackmannanshire, was charged with two counts of rape, alleged to have taken place between July and December last year.

He was detained by police sometime over the weekend and a report was subsequently sent to the procurator fiscal.

He had been scheduled to appear from custody at Alloa Sheriff Court on Monday (23 February), but the Crown Office said he has since been released without making an appearance.

However, a spokesperson for the COPFS insists inquiries are ongoing.

He said: “The procurator fiscal received a report concerning a 32-year-old man in connection with incidents said to have occurred in Alloa and Stirling between July and December 2014.

“After full and careful consideration of the report, the accused was liberated from custody and did not appear in court today in respect of this incident.

“The case remains under consideration by the procurator fiscal.” A spokeswoman for Police Scotland added: “Police in Forth Valley have arrested and charged a 32-year-old man with two counts of rape.

“The incidents occurred between July and December 2014 in the Clackmannanshire and Stirling areas.”