Cops probe witness bribery claim after domestic abuse trial collapses
Allegations made to officers weeks before brute’s court appearance
An investigation has been launched into claims a domestic abuse trial collapsed because a witness was paid off.
The case against businessman Michael Barbour went ahead despite police receiving information about the alleged inducement weeks earlier.
The 42-year-old landlord, who had faced 14 charges, pled guilty to just two at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court. The other charges were dropped following evidence given by a prosecution witness.
Barbour, who owns five properties in his hometown of Irvine, admitted subjecting his former partner Margaret Pollock to a terrifying attack.
He admitted another charge of hitting her 18-year-old son Ryan.
Now the Crown Off ice and Police Scot land are invest igating the al legations , which were made to officers weeks before the trial went ahead this month.
A Crown Office spokeswoman said: “Allegations in relation to a case at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on January 13, 2020, are under investigation.”
Margaret, who was in a relationship with Barbour for 12 years, said she had been left disappointed that the trial collapsed and that the other charges against Barbour were dropped. The 45-year- old, of Saltcoats, Ayrshire, said: “I was shocked that the trial ended the way it did.
“It left me feeling numb because I’d put my trust in the justice tice system. My family were at court and said the procurator fiscal was as furious.
“I ’ ve been told d there’s now a new w investigation into o what happened. I hope e pol ice get to the bottom it.
“It’s hard to accept but the prosecutor said there was noww no corroboration. It became ame my wor d against Michael’s.”
Barbour admit ted assaulting and spitting on Margaret’s face at an address in Irvine between January 1 and January 31, 2017. The thug also admitted slapping Ryan between January 1 and January 31, 2017.
He was handed a £ 750 f ine for assaulting Margaret and fined a further £250 for attacking Ryan.
Committing perjury and perverting the course of justice includes intimidating or interfering with a case witness, juror or judge. If found guilty, an offender is given a prison sentence.
A police spokesmanspoke said: “We are investigatinginvestig this matter.” LastL week, Barbour appearedapp in court again in connectioncon with a breach of ththe peace.
Appearing Ap at Kilmarnock SheriffSheri Court on Wednesday, he adadmitted to one charge of behavingbehav in a threatening manner,mann shouting and swearingsweari at Margaret.
A pleaple of not guilty to a charge of failing to appear at court wasw accepted and he is dued tot beb sentenced next month. Police have also said they are investigating after Margaret’s home was targeted by vandals. The incident , in which windows were smashed, happened at about 6.25am on Wednesday. Off icers say inquiries are ongoing.
The Sunday Mail repeatedly tried to contact Barbour. He did not respond.
I was shocked that the trial ended the way it did