Two police officers have appeared in court accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice after a brawl in a north-east village.
Darren Guild and Martin Coyle were investigated by colleagues following a fracas which left a man injured.
Guild is also accused of assault and acting in a threatening and abusive manner.
The pair – both aged 28 – are currently suspended.
It is understood they were off duty when an incident happened in the Buchan village of Strichen in the early hours of August 8 last year.
Guild is accused of assaulting a man in the village’s Brewery Road by repeatedly punching and kicking him on his head and body to his injury.
He is also alleged to have acted in a threatening and abusive manner by chasing the man, challenging him to a fight and grabbing and throwing away his mobile phone to prevent him calling the emergency services.
Guild, whose address was given in court papers as 169 West Road, Fraserburgh, is also facing a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.
It is alleged that when fellow officers visited his co-accused’s home and asked Guild to hand over the shoes he was wearing at the time of the incident, he gave them a different pair.
It is alleged he did so “well knowing” they were not the ones he was wearing in Brewery Road, in an attempt to avoid prosecution and detection.
His agent, solicitor John Adam, lodged a plea of not guilty to all three charges on his behalf.
Coyle is also accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice at his home at 2 Lakeview, Strichen.
It is alleged that when he was asked to hand over the shoes he had been wearing in Brewery Road he gave officers another pair.
He is also accused of washing a shirt he had been wearing on the day.
Coyle’s agent, solicitor-advocate George Mathers, raised a question of relevancy over the accusations faced by his client when the case called at Peterhead Sheriff Court yesterday.
Mr Mathers said: “At the time Mr Coyle was asked to provide the items mentioned in charge three he was a witness, not an accused.
“That is supported by the fact he is not facing another charge.”
The solicitor has called for a legal debate about the relevancy of the charge, which will take place next month.
Mr Mathers also asked for Coyle’s bail address to be changed to c/o George Mathers & Co, 23 Adelphi, Aberdeen.
A trial date has been set for December 21.
Last night a police spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that two serving officers appeared at Peterhead Sheriff Court today in relation to an assault that occurred during the early hours of Saturday, August 8, 2015 in Strichen.
“As court proceedings are ongoing, we are unable to comment further.”
