Halkirk man cleared as domestic abuse trial collapses

A Halkirk man has been cleared of subjecting his ex-partner to controlling and abusive behaviour.

Neil Macdonald (35) had denied a catalogue of claims, from a woman he had an on-off relationship with, between April 1, 2019, and June 30, 2021.

However, the case against Macdonald, of Eastside, George Street, Halkirk, collapsed on the second day of his trial at Wick Sheriff Court on Thursday.

It happened at the end of the woman’s evidence, which was tearful at times, when fiscal depute Grant McLennan advised that he was closing the Crown case and was no longer seeking a conviction.

Sheriff Neil Wilson formally found the charge against Macdonald not guilty and told him he was free to go.