Stalk case is ditched after cop evidence blunder
Trial axed for businessman’s associate
An associate of Frankie “Donuts” Donaldson will not stand trial for allegedly stalking a domestic violence victim because evidence was lost by police.
Tony Girasoli, 57, was accused of perverting the course of justice and stalking Jane Clarke to stop her testifying against her violent ex-partner Donaldson.
Former professional poker player Girasoli first appeared in court two years ago but in April this year police discovered that five original witness statements and other evidence had gone missing.
They admitted to Jane that the material, including allegedly threatening text messages, disappeared from their possession and they launched a probe.
The Crown Office ordered new witness statements but have now dropped the case against Girasoli.
Donaldson, a wealthy businessman with gangland links, was last year jailed for violence against Jane and her sister.
Girasol i ’s alleged threats related to a £1million civil claim brought aga inst Jane by Donaldson, which he eventually abandoned.
One source said: “Girasoli allegedly turned up at Jane’s workplace and told her that she should not go to court.
“It was also alleged that he tried to get her to reach a financial settlement with Donaldson.
“There were later incidents involving text messages and a phone call, which was witnessed by Jane’s lawyer.
“It took almost four years to jail Donaldson for violence and he eventually abandoned his £1million claim.
“When the police told Jane the Girasoli file had vanished, she was disgusted. She and the other witnesses have suffered years of anxiety only to be denied justice in dubious circumstances.” Donaldson’s associates have included George “Goofy” Docherty, who was murdered in 2006, and members of the Daniel and Lyons crime groups.
In February he was freed after serving one third of a 26-month jail sentence for violence against Jane and her sister. Last month he suf fered a third knife attack in 16 months when he was stabbed in Govan, Glasgow.
The attempted murder bid came af ter an attack in Cumbernauld in April last year and inside HMP Low Moss four months later.
Girasoli, of Renfrew, f irst appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court in August 2016. He faced two stalking charges and one of attempting to pervert the course of justice. The Crown Office said: “The procurator f iscal received a report relating to a 57-year- old male and incidents said to have occurred between October 2015 and June 2016. After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, the procurator fiscal decided there should be no proceedings taken at this time.”
Police Scotland said: “We note the decision by the Crown. The circumstances are being reviewed by Police Scotland.”
When the police told Jane about the file, she was disgusted