Trial shook up the rules but was ultimately upstaged by a virus

Coverage of this case, dubbed “the trial of the century” was unlike anything before witnessed in the Scottish courts.

Every man, woman and their dog likely knows who Salmond is, his amble into court each morning and his getaway each night, was recorded and broadcast live.

Same too for the proceedings inside. Usually, reporters fastidiously take notes in shorthand, keeping tight reign on what is said on public record before pouring over later and filing for papers.

Instead, permission to send live text communication – tweets and live blog updates – was given, meaning (almost) real-time updates could be provided.

But what would be an agendasetting, headline-busting tale was given short-shrift by a strain of coronavirus and how it has impacted our very existence.

Salmond admitted, by putting forward a special defence of consent, he had been unfaithful to his wife

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Each break for lunch or pause for coffee meant peeping one’s head out to catch wind of what was unfolding

while residing in Bute House, that he did want to have sexual relations.

While giving defence evidence, he said there had been “sleepy cuddles”, and he had apologised to one of his accusers for his behaviour.

Prosecutors have to prove, beyond all reasonable doubt, the accused committed what they have been charged with.

Salmond’s defence was based on the idea he was not there on the night he was accused of carrying out a sexual assault, that in other instances the women involved consented and that there was a political conspiracy in play.

Each break for lunch or pause for coffee meant peeping one’s head out to catch wind of what was unfolding, real-time, across the world.

Often, amid the panic and the uncertainty of Covid-19’s spread in the initial days, the sight of seeing one of Scotland’s best known politicians in the dock accused of sexual assaults seemed less absurd than some of the decisions being taken against the virus.