Musician denies a series of charges

Set to go to trial as special defence lodged

The lead singer with a popular Perthshire band yesterday lodged a special defence of self-defence to a charge of attacking a teenager and then pinning him against a car bonnet.

Gavin Munro, who fronts The Red Pine Timber Company, maintained his not guilty plea at Perth Sheriff Court on Thursday to a catalogue of charges, including three of making offensive or inappropriate sexual comments to three different women.

The 50-year-old, of Bridge of Earn, is set to face trial on April 18.

He had been excused from attending a preliminary court hearing yesterday.

The accused, whose address was given on one set of court papers as West Cottage, Elliothead Farm, Bridge of Earn, faces six charges, including threatening violence to a teenage youth and repeatedly pulling at the arms and headrest of a wheelchair while a woman was sitting on it.

It is alleged that between March 1 and 31, 2014, at a house in Bridge of Earn, he made the inappropriate sexual remarks to the first female.

A second charge, involving a different woman, is said to have happened at the same property on November 16, 2014.

A third charge, involving a third female, is alleged to have taken place at the same house on various occasions between December 1, 2010, and November 16, 2014.

Mr Munro also pled not guilty to repeatedly punching the 19-year-old man on the head and body in that house and pinning him against a car bonnet, all to his injury.

A fifth charge alleges that on November 16, 2014, again at the house in Bridge of Earn, he acted in an aggressive manner, shouted and swore and threatened violence towards the same teen.

He is then said to have repeatedly pulled at the wheelchair and refused to leave the house when asked to do so.

A sixth charge alleges that at the same location - and again on November 16 - he wilfully or recklessly damaged the property by repeatedly punching walls, doors and light fittings.

A second complaint alleges that Mr Munro shouted and swore in The Green Room, Canal Crescent, Perth, on June 19 last year, uttered threats of violence, gesticulated and brandished a bar stool.

He is than said to have issued challenges to fight and sent abusive and threatening text messages to the 19-year-old and another person.

His address was given on that complaint as Seal’s Bank Bridge Cottage, Bridge of Earn.

Mr Munro had his bail continued pending his trial next month.

Special conditions are in force, banning him from approaching or contacting any of the alleged victims meantime.