The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Doctors still to decide on alleged woman stalker
COURT: Two reports awaited into case as accused denies charges
The case of a Fife woman accused of stalking Scotland’s heraldry chief and refusing to leave a historic Angus castle remains in the hands of doctors.
Shuque Xie from Kirkcaldy is alleged to have stalked Dr Joe Morrow, Scotland’s Lord Lyon King of Arms, and refused to leave Glamis Castle after demanding an audience with Dr Morrow at the landmark, where he is incumbent in the chapel.
The 50-year-old denies the charge and was made subject to a temporary compulsion order for a month ahead of her trial.
An examination of facts hearing was due to begin at Forfar Sheriff Court yesterday, where her defence agent Nick Whelan said two separate reports into her state of mind are still being considered.
A hospital report will consider whether Xie, whose attendance was excused, was of sound mind during the period in question.
The examination is not a trial but allows a sheriff to assess evidence in the case.
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown allowed a continuation to September.
Xie, of Mitchell Street, also denies repeatedly sending emails to the Scottish Episcopal Church’s press office, the Scottish Parliament and various universities between July 15 2015 and December 1 2016.
She was previously remanded to Cornton Vale women’s prison until a psychiatric bed became available for a full assessment of her mental wellbeing to be completed.
Sheriff Martin-Brown previously granted a Crown motion for the order to be applied under mental health legislation, the effect of which will be that the accused is again remanded to hospital.
The accused initially attempted to represent herself in court but was barred from doing that under a sheriff’s ruling due to the nature of the allegations against her.
A total of 10 Crown witnesses have been cited for the trial.
Mr Morrow is a former Labour councillor in Dundee and in 2009 was appointed as vice-lord lieutenant of the City of Dundee.
He is a former chancellor of the Diocese of Brechin and an honorary canon of St Paul’s Cathedral, Dundee.
The Court of the Lord Lyon is the official heraldry office for Scotland, which deals with all matters relating to Scottish Heraldry and Coats of Arms.