THE parents of an allegedly sick child are to stand trial charged with killing him.

Craig Herdman, 45, and Paula Freitas, 36, are accused of the culpable homicide of Fraai Herdman at their home in Girvan.

Fraai was aged 15 months when he passed away at Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock, also in Ayrshire, on February 9, 2021.

The charge states the child suffered from cystic fibrosis prior to his death.

Prosecutors claim that knowing that Fraai had became "acutely unwell", his parents failed to get "appropriate, timely and adequate" medical checks and treatment.

It is said that as a result, Fraai developed bronchopneumonia and did not survive.

The allegation spans between January 26 and February 9 2021.

Herdman and Freitas face an alternative accusation under the Children and Young Persons Act of wilfully neglecting the boy during the same dates.

The case called for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow today where lawyers pled not guilty on their behalf.

Lord Harrower set a trial due to start in September 2024.

The case could last up to 20 days.

Herdman and Freitas, who were both listed on court papers as still living in Girvan, remain on bail meantime.