Second man is charged with assaulting sheriff

A second man has appeared in court in connection with an alleged assault on a north-east sheriff.

Police arrested and charged 59-year-old Philip Mitchell on Tuesday after it was alleged he carried out an attack on Sheriff Robert McDonald as he made his way to Banff Sheriff Court.

However, another man, William Curtis, 68, has also now appeared in court charged with assault and conspiracy in connection with the incident.

The alleged assault took place in a public car park near Low Street, Banff, on Tuesday around 9.30am.

Curtis made no plea and was remanded in custody following his appearance at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

Mitchell also made no plea at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Wednesday and was also remanded in police custody.

Both men will be back in court within the next eight days.

A source at Banff Sheriff Court said yesterday that the “horrible” incident had shocked staff.

Cases that were due to be heard at the court that day were not affected and Sheriff McDonald worked on as usual.

Sheriff McDonald, who is well-known in the region of Banff and Buchan, was appointed to serve at the town’s Sheriff Court in March 2018.