A leading geologist for a global oil and gas firm has been cleared of assaulting a delivery driver at the company’s north-east base.
Jason White had been on trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court accused of attacking DHL driver Wayne Milne after an argument erupted over the handling of package being sent to Nigeria.
It was claimed Mr White had pushed the courier to the ground of the Eland Oil and Gas offices causing him to injure his hand.
However, the accused argued he had acted in self defence when Mr Milne became aggressive towards him.
Mr White, of 35 Springdale Road, Bieldside, Aberdeen, said he had initially put his hands out to protect himself and only pushed the courier backwards when he began to come closer.
After a full day of evidence yesterday, Sheriff Alison Stirling ruled the Crown’s case was “extremely thin” and said Mr White had been a “credible and reliable” witness.
She also said she did not believe the 50-year-old would have acted in the manner Mr Milne described while at work.
The court heard Mr White had tried to arrange for a memory stick, which contained important information about his work, to be sent to Africa.
However, as he had never organised the delivery of anything through DHL before, he got into some difficulties when filling out the appropriate paper work.
Mr Milne told the court that Mr White, 50, had used a “raised voice” to speak to him while swearing at him when he wouldn’t help.
And he said as he tried to leave the building Mr White grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pushed him to the ground.
He also claimed he had suffered a small hairline fracture to his hand as a result of the incident, however medical records shown to the court proved there was no break.
Clearing Mr White, Sheriff Stirling said: “This case is easily determined by the credibility and reliability of witnesses. As regards to the complainer Mr Milne, in my view, was not reliable and that is before we even consider credibility.”
