A serving Angus police officer is facing trial over two charges of assaulting a man in a cell at Arbroath Police Station.
David William Black, understood to be a sergeant with Police Scotland, is alleged to have grabbed his victim by the neck and kneed him in the face in the October 2013 incident. Black, 48, whose address was given as Divisional Police HQ, West Bell Street, Dundee, was not present when his case called at Forfar Sheriff Court.
The Courier understands Black remains a serving officer but is notcurrently involved in a role which involves contact with the public.
He has lodged pleas of not guilty to assaulting John Marc Brand, c/o the Police Service of Scotland, within a cell at Arbroath police office on October 10 2013 and seizing hold of him by the neck; and assaulting the same complainer to his injury on the same date by striking him on the face with his knee.
Depute fiscal Mohammed Siddique said the case was a “sensitive” matter, involving as it did a serving police officer.
He told Sheriff Pino Di Emidio that discussions between the Crown and Black’s solicitors, Glasgow firm Levy & McRae, over the preparation of a joint minute of evidence were ongoing.
Mr Siddique presented a Crown motion for the adjournment of the case and told the sheriff that there was adifficulty with planned dates for the trial due to the unavailability of a witness in the matter.
It is anticipated that the trial will take two days, the court heard.
A specialist prosecutor is preparing the case and is in discussion with the accused’s solicitors over the preparation of the joint minute.
Black’s case will call again at Forfar early next week when new intermediate diet and trial dates are expected to be set.