A student has been acquitted of attempting to murder a man at Aberdeen University halls during freshers’ week.
Robert Hastie, 20, stood trial accused of attacking Dean McKessick at the Hillhead Student Village accommodation on the city’s Don Street on September 24 2021.
Mr Hastie – whose address was given in legal documents as Edinburgh – was accused of striking Mr McKessick on the body with a knife or similar item.
The Crown claimed this was to Mr McKessick’s severe injury, permanent disfigurement and to the danger of his life.
But, today, jurors returned a majority not guilty verdict to the charge following a trial.
Hastie had also faced a separate allegation of possessing the Class B drug methylphenidate, but the charge was withdrawn by the prosecutor, formally acquitting him of the alleged offence.
Early morning incident
Friends of Mr Hastie wept as Judge Alison Stirling told him: “You are free to leave the dock.”
The teen was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for medical treatment after the alarm was raised.
Officers were called to the student halls at around 4.55am and Mr McKessick, who was 18 at the time, was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
A university spokesman said at the time: “We are currently assisting police with their inquiries following an alleged assault that took place in the grounds of our Hillhead halls of residence in the early hours of this morning.
“We have taken steps to reassure residents that this was an isolated incident and that an individual has been arrested and is currently in police custody. No residents were harmed, and there is no ongoing risk to residents or the wider community.
“Nonetheless we recognise the potential alarm this incident may have caused residents, and our student support team is offering assistance to anyone who may have been impacted.”
