As far as I’m aware two people being in love is not a crime
Robinson’s hugs for partner after trial
The stress this caused both of us is impossible to emphasise.
ROBYN LAUCHLAN OUTSIDE COURT
MOTHERWELL FC manager Stephen Robinson kissed and hugged his partner moments after being acquitted on domestic abuse charges.
The 45-year-old embraced Robyn Lauchlan, 28, in a courtroom after Sheriff John Cook returned not guilty verdicts on two domestic abuse charges.
The football coach spent two days on trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on allegations he assaulted her outside the city’s Christmas market on December 13.
She told the court there had been a misunderstanding and he had been comforting her.
She said she felt upset after a man in a pub told her to “shut the f**k up” and she had stormed off in a bad mood from Robinson.
In court he said: “My sole intention was just to calm her down and get her home safely. She is my princess. I adore her. We just enjoy being with each other.”
Robinson added: “As far as I am aware it is not a crime two people being in love with each other.”
The sheriff decided there wasn’t enough evidence to return guilty verdicts. He said: “The witnesses told the court that they had witnessed an incident.
“Notwithstanding the views of the complainer, the Crown decided to proceed with the matter to court. That is their right.
“However, there is sufficient reasonable doubt in this case to find Mr Robinson not guilty.”
Outside court, Robyn criticised prosecutors for taking the case to court. She said: “Today, for the first time in almost 12 torturous weeks, the system has listened to us.
“In no shape or form have I ever been a victim of domestic abuse.
“The stress this has caused to both of us and our families is impossible to emphasise enough.
“We were stopped from seeing each other. We have feared for our livelihoods.
“The authorities have wasted their time on this when there are people out there who really need this law and the protection it provides.
“This has been made clear to the authorities from the very start. But I was not interviewed by the police at any point. Why? I was never approached by the Crown Office at any stage to give my version of events. Why?
“We will be taking the matter further to make sure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
Motherwell welcomed the result, adding: “The decision is entirely in line with our expectations.”
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “We note the decision of the court and the presiding sheriff’s view that the case had been properly brought to court by the Crown.”