Two police officers charged with assault and lying in court

TWO police officers are to go on trial over allegations of assault and then lying in court.

Steven Harker, 35, and Gordon Butchart, 30, were charged after giving evidence in a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court last year.

That case related to an incident in Dunfermline on November 15, 2018 in which a man and woman were arrested in their home by the officers. It is now alleged they were assaulted. The officers are also accused of lying when giving evidence at the trial of the man and woman in June 2019.

Harker, of Dunfermline, and Butchart, of Polmont, Stirlingshire, deny all the charges.

It is alleged that in the Dunfermline incident, both constables assaulted Michael Wallace, including choking him and striking his head against a wall.

It is also alleged that Harker assaulted Catherine Dolan by seizing her.

The constables are further alleged to have provided false evidence on June 12 last year at the trial of Wallace and Dolan.

The officers, currently on ‘restricted duties’, will go on trial at Dundee Sheriff Court on June 16. Sheriff James Macdonald, who presided at the earlier trial, could be called as a witness.