Tim Visser pleads not guilty as rape and abuse trial set for January 2028

Former Scotland rugby international Tim Visser is due to stand trial in Edinburgh on January 12, 2028, on charges of rape and abuse, BBC News reported. His lawyer, Ian Duguid, entered a not-guilty plea to the indictment at the High Court in Glasgow. The allegations have not been proved.

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The 39-year-old faces four charges concerning alleged conduct between 2010 and 2024 in Edinburgh and elsewhere. Two allege rape on various occasions, including claims that sexual activity continued after consent was withdrawn. Another alleges repeated threatening and abusive behaviour towards the woman.

According to the BBC's account of the indictment, prosecutors allege that Visser controlled aspects of the woman's finances and appearance, contacted her repeatedly against her wishes and isolated her from family and friends. The allegations also include physical violence and taking intimate photographs without consent.

The fourth charge concerns an alleged course of abusive behaviour and contains 26 claims. Separately, the indictment says prosecutors may present evidence about other matters dating back to 2004. The BBC reported that those earlier matters are not formal charges at this stage. Visser denies the indictment.

Visser won 33 caps and scored 14 tries for Scotland, according to Scottish Rugby's announcement of his international retirement in May 2018. Born in the Netherlands, he qualified through residency and made his Scotland debut against Fiji in 2012, scoring twice. He also scored two tries against New Zealand on his third international appearance and represented Scotland at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

His club career included spells at Newcastle Falcons, Edinburgh and Harlequins. Planet Rugby's report of his retirement announcement in May 2019 said he joined Harlequins from Edinburgh in 2015 after six years with the Scottish club. His Harlequins debut came against Bath in a Premiership match in October 2015. He scored 10 tries in his first Harlequins season and was part of the side that reached the Challenge Cup final that campaign. He retired from professional rugby in 2019.