Disabled woman denies throwing chair at Yes campaigners in Kirkcaldy

A disabled woman accused of hurling a chair from a balcony as Yes campaigners canvassed for votes has claimed she is physically incapable of the feat.

Pettina Capaldi, 53, is accused of shouting and swearing and throwing the furniture from her home in Kirkcaldy’s Lindores Drive on August 29, last year.

The alleged incident occurred as independence campaigner Jim Sillars rallied for Yes votes in the run-up to the referendum.

The former SNP deputy leader hit the campaign trail in the Fife town that day in his Margo Mobile, named after his late wife, former independent MSP Margo MacDonald.

The day before Labour leader Jim Murphy was pelted with eggs by a Yes supporter when he took the Better Together message to Kirkcaldy town centre.

Capaldi, who uses a wheelchair, faces prosecution in Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, on a charge alleging that she behaved in a threatening or abusive manner likely to cause fear or alarm.

She was not in court on Friday, but her solicitor said the defence position was that she was “physically incapable” of throwing a chair on to the road.

He also said that a full medical report would be sought from her GP.

The case was adjourned until March.