Jury trial begins for man accused of abduction

A man has been accused of abducting his former girlfriend at the Brae Hotel earlier this year.

Andrew Smith, 33, is facing trial by jury after being accused of seizing the woman by the hair on 20th January.

He is alleged to have dragged her across a room, causing her to strike her head – rendering her unconscious.

Smith has pleaded not guilty to forcing the woman into his car and detaining her against her will.

He is further accused of presenting a knife at her and striking her on the head with it, causing her injury and permanent disfigurement.

Smith, who the indictment lists as staying at an address in France, is also alleged to have had a Stanley knife, and is claimed to have sent offensive text messages to her, as well as to Crown witness Sydney James Johnson.

A further charge alleges he assaulted the woman between June 2013 and January 2014 at an address at Park View in Scalloway’s New Road.

The charge alleges he strangled her, threatened to cut her with a knife, and threatened to throw her out of a window.

The Crown also believes he burnt her with cigarettes, repeatedly punched her and bit her in Oxfordshire, Ibiza and elsewhere between July 2010 and June 2013.

Smith also denies failing to comply with a court order granted by the Lerwick court. However, he admits assaulting Mr Johnson at the Brae Hotel on 20th January.

The trial got under way at Lerwick Sheriff Court today. Smith is represented in court by defence agent Gregor Kelly. The case before sheriff Philip Mann continues tomorrow.