A man accused of assaulting and abducting another man in the north-east walked free from court yesterday.
Andrew Waddell, 26, from Glenrothes, Fife, said he was “relieved” after a jury returned a verdict of not proven on the charge against him.
It was the end of a week-long trial at Peterhead Sheriff Court during which numerous witnesses took to the stand.
The jury took just over an hour to decide by a majority that the Crown had failed to prove Mr Waddell had assaulted and then abducted 20-year-old Alexander “Sandy” Fraser on the night of April 10, 2013.
It was alleged that Mr Fraser had been attacked and chased before being bundled into the back of Mr Waddell’s white Ford Transit van.
The trial heard that Mr Waddell had put a plea for information on Facebook after his workshop was raided and valuable parts and equipment stolen.
The post was seen by Michael Buchan, 23, from Mintlaw, who said he may have know where the goods were and offered to help find and recover them.
Mr Buchan told the court he and Mr Waddell had met Mr Fraser at the Ban-Car Hotel at Lonmay at that he had offered to assist them in their search.
He said: “We pulled up at the Ban-Car and Andy (Waddell) got out of the van to speak to Sandy.
“He said he would help us find the property that had been stolen – he was off his head but was well up for helping.”
The trio drove to a lock-up in the Gadle Braes area of Peterhead and then on to Sandhaven, near Fraserburgh, where Mr Buchan and Mr Waddell were arrested by police.
After the jury delivered their verdict, Sheriff Andrew Miller told Mr Waddell: “As a result of the jury’s verdict you have been acquitted of the charge against you and are now free to go.”
A second allegation that Mr Waddell had struggled violently with police officers outside an address at St Magnus Road, Sandhaven, was dropped by the Crown earlier in the week.
Outside court, Mr Waddell said he was delighted with the outcome of the trial.
He said: “This is a big relief as its been a long, stressful week – I’m off for a pint to celebrate.
“I would like to add though that the stolen goods have still not been recovered and I’d ask the people who have them to come forward.”
