Arrest warrants issued as Wick case witnesses fail to show for trial

A sheriff has ordered the arrests of two key witnesses who failed to turn up for a jury trial which had to be postponed.

When the case against George Harper, who is facing charges including abduction and serious assault, was called at Wick Sheriff Court on Monday, fiscal depute Ruairidh McAllister advised Sheriff Gordon Lamont: “The Crown is unable to proceed.”

Mr McAlister explained that efforts to trace one of the missing witnesses, Robyn Miller, had so far proved unsuccessful.

The fiscal depute said that police had been carrying out checks during the past fortnight and visited an address in Aberdeen. However, the occupants had only been there a month and knew nothing about Miller, who belongs to Wick.

Mr McAllister added: “Her present whereabouts are unknown. With the best will in the world, I cannot see she will be traced for this matter to proceed this week.”

The other missing witness was Andrew Harper. He was also required to attend but failed to do so.

The accused, 41-year-old George Harper, who has been on remand, was granted bail to an address in Kessock Avenue, Inverness.

His trial was postponed to September 15.

The offences, which Harper denies, are alleged to have taken place at two Wick houses, in Bremner’s Walk and Glamis Road, in March and May, last year.

He has also pleaded not guilty to a further charge of threatening or abusive conduct, refusing to leave a house in Glamis Road when requested by police officers, uttering threats of violence while holding a shard of glass, and causing the street to be cordoned off and a firearms incident to be actioned.

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