New evidence in stalking case

Former Academy official's phone may contain valuable material
A SHERIFF has taken the unusual step of postponing the trial of a former Highland football official accused of stalking - on the day it was scheduled to proceed.
New evidence was the reason given by Colin Stewart’s solicitor, Fiona MacDonald, at Wick Sheriff Court, yesterday.
Shortly before it was due to proceed, Ms MacDonald intimated to the new evidence which she said related to material on Stewart’s phone which was returned to him on Monday.
She said he had passed it onto her on Wednesday and she had viewed some of the electronic content on it and concluded it was of benefit to the defence.
She requested the trial be postponed so she could investigate the matter further.
Fiscal David Barclay did not oppose the motion to set a new date, in order that fresh evidence, which "might potentially be valuable" to the defence, should be investigated.
Sheriff Andrew Berry commented it was seldom that the court had dealt with a trial postponement on the day of the case, but it was “the exception to the rule”and was “clearly in the interest of justice.”
The new date for the trial is August 19. Stewart, a local businessman, who formerly chaired Wick Academy’s executive committee, is accused of engaging in a course of conduct which caused Elaine Gray fear and alarm at the council service point in Girnigoe Street, Wick, where she works, and repeatedly followed her, approached her and contacted her by telephone, e-mail and voice mail.
It is further alleged that he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly sending text messages to Ms Gray’s father, Clair Harper, who is Academy’s president, at his home in Thurso Road, Wick. The offences are said to have occurred between August 1 and November 6, last year.
Stewart, of 18 Lower Dunbar Street, Wick, pleads not guilty to both charges.