An Aberdeenshire pensioner allegedly posted on social media about the First Minister’s “assassination” as part of a series of “threatening” messages, a court has heard.
William Curtis, 70, is accused of sending emails and social media messages with “threatening remarks” towards Nicola Sturgeon.
It’s claimed that correspondence sent between February 27 and March 6 2019 would likely have caused “fear and alarm”.
Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow were also told of an email which threatened “reasonable force” being used if attempts were made to stop a “citizen’s arrest” of the SNP leader.
John Skinner, the office manager of Ms Sturgeon’s private office in Edinburgh, was the first witness to give evidence in the trial which started on Tuesday.
‘Reasonable force will be used’
Prosecutor Chris McKenna asked if he was alerted to “anything out of the ordinary” on February 27 2019.
The 61-year-old witness said he had found an initially blocked email which appeared to be “quite threatening in nature”.
It was sent from an address under the name “Billy Curtis”, the court was told.
The message had been forwarded on, having also been sent to the procurator fiscal office in Elgin.
Jurors were read the email’s contents on Tuesday, the first day of the trial.
It included claims of “mitigating offences” apparently committed by the First Minister.
“We do not intend to harm her, but if her security attempt to stop the rights of a citzen’s arrest on an ongoing crime…
“Well, as the police are so good at saying, reasonable force will be used,” the email said.
Mr McKenna asked the witness: “What did you take that to mean?”
Mr Skinner replied: “It looks like a threat against the First Minister and any security officers with her at the time”.
Accused allegedly contacted another MSP
The trial then heard of a Facebook post to which Mr Skinner was alerted after it was passed on from the office of former MSP Stewart Stevenson.
It was sent in the name of William Patrick Curtis.
Jurors were again read the contents which once more mentioned a “citizen’s arrest” of Ms Sturgeon, this time for “treason”.
It added: “Over the last three years, serious people who feel the abuse to the electorate by her criminal activities warrant assassination of her and several of her ministers.
“On down to even civilians who work in all these agencies who have repeatedly lied to the electorate and conspired with the First Minister.”
The email was signed off “The Skipper xxxx”.
Curtis’s lawyer later put to Mr Skinner that neither message was sent directly to Ms Sturgeon, which he agreed with.
Gareth Jones KC, defending, added: “What you see in both is a series of complaints to the Scottish Government which has, at its focus, the First Minister?”
Mr Skinner responded: “I would agree”.
Curtis accused of sending video about Labour MP’s murder
Curtis is also accused of acting in a similar manner towards former Banffshire and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson.
The OAP is charged with sending a threatening online message which also contained a link to a video relating to the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox, on March 9 2019.
Stephen Smith, the former office manager for Stewart Stevenson, was the next witness to take the stand.
The 52-year-old spoke of a Facebook message in March 2019 which he had been alerted to by an aide of Mr Stevenson.
It stated: “Your time is coming, for that you can be sure”.
There was also a YouTube video relating to the death of Labour MP Jo Cox.
Mr McKenna said: “Jo Cox was the MP who was murdered?”
Mr Smith replied: “Yes”.
There was another message which read: “I fully intend to haunt you. You corrupt b******”.
The message included a photo of Mr Stevenson and some background information.
It’s alleged that Curtis sent the menacing messages from an address in Aberchirder.
Accused of abducting a sheriff
Curtis, along with 60-year-old Philip Mitchell, are also both charged with attacking Sheriff Robert McDonald on June 29 2021 – allegations the pair also deny.
The incident is said to have happened in St Mary’s car park next to Banff Sheriff Court where Sheriff McDonald presides.
It’s claimed the pair assaulted and abducted the sheriff by grabbing him, pulling their alleged victim to the ground, then sitting on top of him and detaining him against his will.
Curtis alone faces a further two charges of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner.
Not guilty pleas have been lodged for both Curtis and Mitchell.
Curtis has a special defence of incrimination, claiming the allegation involving Mr Stevenson was committed by someone else.
Mitchell is representing himself in the case.
The trial, before judge Lord Weir, continues.
