The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Case dropped against woman accused of stalking Lord Lyon
Crown Office confirms prosecution against Kirkcaldy woman will not proceed
A prosecution against a Fife woman accused of stalking Scotland’s heraldry chief has been dropped.
Shuque Xie, from Kirkcaldy, had faced charges at Forfar Sheriff Court of stalking Scotland’s Lord Lyon King of Arms, Dr Joseph Morrow.
She was also accused of refusing to leave Glamis Castle after demanding an audience with him at the Angus landmark.
At an earlier hearing, the 50-year-old was previously made the subject of a compulsion order under mental health legislation.
Xie also faced an allegation that she repeatedly sent emails to the Scottish Episcopal Church’s press office, the Scottish Parliament and various universities between July 15 2015 and December 1 last year.
An examination of facts, which is not a trial, but allows a sheriff to assess evidence in the case, had been scheduled to take place at the Angus court.
However, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service confirmed the case against Xie, of Mitchell Street, Kirkcaldy, would not be proceeding.
A Crown Office spokesperson said: “The case was treated as not called at Forfar Sheriff Court.
“There is an obligation on the prosecutor to keep cases under review.
“This includes cases in which the prosecutor has decided to take no further action.
“The Crown therefore reserves the right to prosecute this case at a future date.”
The accused initially attempted to represent herself in court but was barred from doing so by a sheriff, due to the nature of the allegations against her.
Lord Lyon Mr Morrow is a former Labour councillor in Dundee. In 2009 he was appointed 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.
The case was treated as not called at Forfar Sheriff Court