A historical sexual abuse trial at the High Court has collapsed after the death of the accused.

Donald Ellingham, 68, of Tay Place, Irvine, was to face eleven charges of sexual abuse at the High Court in Glasgow from September 18 next month.

These were in relation to six alleged victims, aged between four and 16 years old, with charges alleged to have taken place at addresses in Irvine, the train Station, the Magnum, and within cars being driven by Ellingham.

However, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has since confirmed they have received formal notification of his death.

One of the six accusers taking the stand against him has spoken out online since his death, publishing an audio recording with apparent admissions to the crime.

She also spoke of her despair at now being unable to take the stand against the accused.

She also said she was angry there was not closer supervision of the accused while he was waiting trial, following unconfirmed reports that he had taken his own life.

Police Scotland were contacted, but they were unable to confirm details about the case.

At a preliminary hearing at Glasgow High Court in April, Ellingham was faced with charges against him, dating between 1976 and 1998.

It was alleged he committed sex acts against a girl, then aged between five and twelve, and induced her to commit acts, on various occasions between February 3, 1976 and February 2, 1983, including at two addresses in Irvine, an address in Paisley, at the Magnum Leisure Centre, in a signal box in Irvine Train Station and in a motor vehicle on journeys around Irvine, Paisley and elsewhere.

He was also accused of abusing the same female, then between the ages of 12 and 16, on various occasions between February 3, 1983 and February 2, 1985 at an address in Irvine, Paisley and the Magnum Leisure Centre.

Ellingham was accused of the assault and attempted rape of the same young female at an occasion between February 3, 1977 and February 2, 1980 at an address in Irvine.

He was also accused of forcing a second female aged 12-16, to commit an act on him, and other indecencies, between December 20, 1977 and December 19, 1982 at two addresses in Irvine, as well as the Beachpark, the Magnum, a signal box at Irvine train station and in a motor vehicle in Irvine and elsewhere.

He faced further sex offences against the same female while in a motor vehicle at various locations in Irvine between December 20, 1982 and December 19, 1984.

Between August 6, 1983 and August 5, 1986, Ellingham was accused of the rape of a third underage female at an address in Irvine.

He was accused of sex charges against a fourth female, then aged between seven and 10, on various occasions between February 12, 1989 and February 11, 1992 at an address in Irvine, an address in Ardrossan and during journeys in a motor vehicle in Irvine.

In the same period was also accused of raping the same child to her injury.

Ellingham faced further accusations of sexual abuse of a fifth female then aged between nine and 12-year-old on various occasions between December 6, 1989 and December 5, 1992 at an address in Irvine, and in journeys in a motor vehicle in the Irvine area.

He was also charged with raping a sixth female, then aged between 14 and 15, at an address in Ardrossan between August 24, 1996 and August 19, 1997.

He faced an eleventh charge of the sexual assault of same female between August 24, 1997 and August 1998.

He had denied all charges against him, forcing his alleged victims to face the ordeal of giving evidence against him.

Police were unable to confirm the cause of his death.