Wick man denies assault at house in town
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A Wick man is to stand trial on charges of assault and threatening behaviour at a house in the town.
Richard Matthews (33) has pleaded not guilty and lodged a special defence of alibi.
The indictment accuses him of forcing entry into a property at Battery Road and repeatedly punching James Boyd on the head and body to his severe injury. Mathews, of Dunnett Avenue, Wick, also denies threatening to kill Mr Boyd if he went to the police.
Wick Sheriff Court heard on Tuesday that a witness in the case had passed away since the incident on July 7, last year, but had earlier made a statement to the police.
Once that has been confirmed, both prosecution and defence will be ready to proceed to trial before a jury at Inverness.
The Wick court will receive an update on June 22.
