The trial of a man accused of a serious assault against a Forfar woman may hear evidence from beyond the grave.
Kevin Robertson faces charges of assaulting and threatening to kill Catherine Sandeman, the discovery of whose body is the subject of a murder charge against another man.
Robertson, 51, of Goosecroft, Forfar, appeared from custody before Sheriff Kevin Veal at the town’s sheriff court on an indictment containing three charges.
He denies behaving in a threatening manner at a house in Archies Park on November 1 2012, while on bail.
He is also alleged to have assaulted her on February 5 this year at his home address by repeatedly punching and slapping her, compressing her neck, placing a duvet cover over her head, repeatedly attempting to gouge out her eyes with his fingers and binding her hands and feet together with adhesive tape, all to her severe injury.
He is also charged with repeatedly threatening to kill Ms Sandeman on the same date, sharpening a chisel in front of her, confining her within the house and threatening to put her in the boot of a car, and asking how she would like to die.
The court heard Robertson’s case will involve the Crown’s submission of a Section 259 application, a request for permission for a statement to be admitted where the person cannot give evidence.
Trial has been set for January 27.