The trial of two police officers who are accused of attempting to cover up an attack in a north-east village has been delayed again after a doctor vouched for the illness of their alleged victim.
Darren Guild and Martin Coyle have been suspended with full pay for almost two years after being investigated over an alleged assault in Strichen.
It is claimed 28-year-old Guild attacked Peterhead man James-Andrew Milne on August 8, 2015, which left him injured.
Prosecutors also allege that both officers then handed over different pairs of shoes to the ones they had been wearing on the night in an attempt to pervert the course of justice.
Coyle, 29, whose address was given as care of his solicitor George Mathers in Aberdeen, is further accused of washing a shirt he had been wearing before presenting it to colleagues.
At Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday, they both denied the charges against them.
Guild, of West Road in Fraserburgh, has lodged a special defence of self-defence.
Their trial had started in April, when Mr Milne started to give evidence, but was only part heard.
And a hearing was deferred earlier this month when Mr Milne told court officers that he was ill to continue.
A doctor has now told the court that it could take up to four months for him to be well enough to go back to court.
The news was met with scepticism from Mr Mathers, who called for the sheriff to dismiss the case and allow the men involved to “move on”.
He added: “This is not a reasonable time.
“It is extremely unfair to keep something like this over these men.”
Advocate Joe Cahill, who is representing Guild, added: “The strain and suspense on them is affecting them.
“It would be really unfair to adjourn this. It’s gone on long enough.”
However, sheriff Andrew Miller deferred the case for a further hearing next week to allow for Mr Milne to be reviewed by his doctor again.
A decision will then be made on when and whether the trial can continue.
Coyle and Guild have been excused from attending the case’s next hearing on June 29.
