Nolan walks free after being cleared of attack
A man walked free from court after being cleared of attacking three men at a Wishaw flat with an offensive weapon.
Hugh Nolan stood trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court and maintained his pleas of not guilty to seriously assaulting the three men in Harestone Crescent on April 13 last year.
The 57-year-old stood trial accused of assaulting Paul McKean by repeatedly striking him on the head with a knife which had a knuckle-duster handle and rendered him unconscious to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.
He also allegedly attacked Joseph Partridge by repeatedly striking him on the head with the same weapon.
The third charge Nolan stood trial for was allegedly assaulting Richard Hart by repeatedly punching him on the head.
During the trial, fiscal depute Callum Forsyth informed the court he would not be seeking a conviction for the alleged assault on Mr Hart and the charge was dropped.
Mr Forsyth asked to address the court without the jury.
The court then heard from Mr Forsyth and Nolan’s solicitor, Vincent McGovern, regarding the evidence in the remaining charges against Nolan.
It was then found there was insufficient evidence in respect of both charges.
Nolan was then acquitted of all charges and he was free to leave the dock.