‘Understaffing’ means police can’t produce CCTV evidence after eight months

Charges against an alleged Dundee shoplifter have been thrown out because police were so understaffed they were unable to provide prosecutors with the necessary evidence against him.

Sheriff Alastair Brown slammed Police Scotland for still having failed to provide any CCTV evidence of the alleged offences despite the charges being brought eight months ago and a trial originally fixed in April.

Jack Cook, 39, of no fixed abode, originally pleaded not guilty to the charges, relating to three separate instances of shoplifting from Boots, Albert Street, on January 16, 17 and 19.

At a Dundee Sheriff Court hearing, depute fiscal Charmaine Gilmartin said that CCTV evidence had still not been disclosed because of “understaffing” although police branded it “an administrative error”.

Sheriff Brown said: “Staffing difficulties in an organisation the size of Police Scotland is not an adequate explanation.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland are very disappointed this incident has occurred due to an administrative error and apologises.”

A Crown Office spokesperson said: “We are currently considering the decision of the court.”