THE sexual assault accused Bulgarian man who was allowed bail on a charge of groping a schoolgirl in a Port public toilet has been 'positively identified' by his alleged victim.
Mihail Iliev was picked out by his 14-year-old accuser and another teen witness from an identity parade of photographs shown to them by police, Greenock Sheriff Court was told.
Results of a DNA report concerning the alleged incident, which is said to have occurred in the female toilets at Coronation Park, are also set to be agreed by Iliev's lawyer Edward Sweeney.
The developments in the case were announced during a pre-trial hearing earlier this week, during which it was announced that a dozen witnesses have been cited to give evidence.
Iliev, 32 — who moved from Bulgaria to the Port's Highholm Street in April — is accused of seizing the child's clothed buttock.
It is alleged that he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear or alarm by repeatedly entering the female facilities and opening cubicle doors on May 22.
The court heard that Iliev intends to call a defence witness to testify on his behalf but the person cannot currently be found.
Solicitor Mr Sweeney said: "There is a witness who is still to be traced.
"I am not certain about this person's whereabouts — he may be in Bulgaria."
The Telegraph told in May how police were looking to speak to two men in relation to the alleged sexual assault.
Accused Iliev is set for trial on July 31 on separate allegations of performing a disgusting act in front of a female doctor onboard a train and intimidating the woman by staring at her.
The Crown says that he committed these alleged offences on the same day that he is said to have sexually assaulted the schoolgirl.
Iliev has maintained pleas of not guilty regarding both matters.
Prosecutor Lindy Scaife said: "There are five civilian witnesses and seven police witnesses.
"Of the five civilians there are two children aged, aged 14 and 15.
"A viper identity parade resulted in a positive identification of the the accused.
"We now have the results of a DNA report and we are going to agree the results of the DNA analysis."
A trial date regarding the alleged offence in the public toilet is due to be set next Tuesday.
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