‘No corroboration’ means not guilty verdict for man accused of assaulting pregnant girlfriend

The issue of corroboration reared its head at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on Wednesday at an assault trial.

A 35-year-old man was cleared of attacking his five-months pregnant girlfriend at their Kirkcaldy flat.

Stuart Mitchell, of Duncan Street, denied the charge.

He was accused of assaulting Natasha More on July 31 by grabbing her by the body, kicking her on the stomach, pushing her on the body while she was walking downstairs, punching her on the head and spitting on her.

When finding Mitchell not guilty, Sheriff Max Hendry said: “Scots law requires corroboration before anyone can be convicted of anything.

“We need to hear from more than one source. There is one source here but there is not a second source.”