A Perth man accused of robbing his ex-partner at knifepoint and stealing her dog has walked free from court after his alleged victim failed to show up at his trial for a third time.
Paul Booth denied allegations he assaulted his former girlfriend on a footpath between the city’s Collinson View and Stanley Crescent.
It was alleged the 30-year-old pointed a knife at her and robbed her of her Staffordshire bull terrier and a mobile phone.
Booth, who was jailed in 2020 for attacking the same woman with a knife, was due to stand trial before a remote jury at Perth Sheriff Court this week.
But the case was thrown out by a sheriff after the prosecution’s main witness failed to attend.
Unsatisfactory position
Sheriff William Wood was told the alleged victim had not turned up on two previous occasions.
Fiscal depute Michael Dunlop said: “The Crown position is not a satisfactory one – the complainer has yet again not attended.
“She is an essential witness in this matter.”
Mr Dunlop asked the court to continue the case until later in the week for a final chance to get hold of the missing witness.
He said: “Given the nature of these charges, including an allegation of having a knife, this is a serious matter.
“But I cannot get around the fact that the complainer has failed to turn up three times.”
The court heard the witness had never been personally cited to appear but had instead been formally summoned via her partner.
‘Misunderstandings’
Solicitor Jim Laverty, defending, said: “The Crown have had almost five months to resolve this particular issue and I respectfully submit that they have failed to do that.”
The court heard the dog and the mobile phone have since returned to the woman.
Sheriff William Wood said: “Realistically, I cannot see any advantage in continuing this matter any further.”
Deserting the case simpliciter – bringing the prosecution to an end, without the facts being determined – the sheriff added: “Try to avoid these sorts of misunderstandings in the future.”
Mr Booth responded: “Thank you, your honour. Appreciated.”
History of violence
Booth, who appeared in court with his arm in a sling, was jailed for two years in 2020 after a jury found him guilty of armed assault in the city’s Nimmo Avenue.
In May 2012, Booth was locked up for three years after hurling a rock from a flyover on the A9 and striking a car which had baby and child passengers.
The previous year he torched a handbag containing aerosols, causing it to explode and injure a pregnant woman.
