Montrose man’s sex charges dropped after complainer fails to appear in court

A solicitor successfully argued for a sexual assault charge against a 72-year-old man to be dropped because of the alleged victim’s failure to appear in court.

Peter Thom, of Little Nursery, Montrose, had been accused of assaulting the woman on July 1.

The court heard there had been a number of difficulties in getting the complainer to attend court.

Defence solicitor Nick Whelan said he was “somewhat surprised” the alleged victim had claimed it was because of anxiety over appearing in the witness box.

“She has made a number of appearances here and is no stranger to the court,” he said.

“There have been a number of callings of this case and, according to my client, two of the witnesses made it clear that they had no intention of appearing at the impending trial.”

Depute fiscal Hannah Kennedy said it appeared the complainer was avoiding citation in the case.

Sheriff Gregor Murray dropped the case against Thom.