A policewoman said to have been “badly hurt” in the incident that led to the death of Sheku Bayoh in Kirkcaldy today made her first appearance in court on data protection charges.
PC Nicole Short has been at the centre of more than a year of legal wrangling over the extent of her injuries, causing repeated delays to her trial.
Her case has now called at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on more than 10 occasions – with Friday’s hearing the first time she has appeared in the dock.
Short spoke only to confirm her name.
Her solicitor, Ross Cameron, said: “She maintains her plea of not guilty. There is one defence witness and the defence are prepared for trial.
“There is a vulnerable witness application in respect of the accused.
“There are special measures for her that have been recommended by her doctor, such as taking breaks every 45 minutes and allowing her to take notes.”
Short, 30, of Glenrothes, pleaded not guilty on summary complaint to three charges under the Data Protection Act.
She is accused of accessing confidential information on the Police Scotland computer system in October 2012.
PC Short is accused of obtaining personal data relating to two men from Fife Constabulary’s Crimefile system and the Scottish Intelligence Database for non-policing purposes in a separate incident.
Sheriff Richard McFarlane continued the case to a trial date in October.
PC Short was involved in the struggle that led to the death of father-of-two Sheku Bayoh in Kirkcaldy’s Hayfield Road on May 3 2015.
Police Federation bosses say Short suffered “significant” injuries.
Mr Bayoh, who was 31, collapsed and died after being restrained by several officers who were following up reports of a suspect wielding a knife.
The case is being investigated by police watchdog, the Police Investigations & Review Commissioner (PIRC).
