THE prosecution of a Greenock man who had been charged with an alleged domestic abuse offence in 2020 has collapsed - after police failed to cite two witnesses to give evidence in the case.
Patrick Altizio, 42, of the Inverclyde Centre for the homeless on Dalrymple Street, had been accused of acting in an aggressive manner at a property in Rothesay by shouting, swearing, repeatedly ringing a doorbell and banging on a door.
He was due to have his case heard at the sheriff court, however, Sheriff Michael Higgins deserted the proceedings after being told that the witnesses had not been formally notified.
Fiscal depute Maria Murdoch said that police had been instructed in June to cite two complainers but had not done so ahead of the trial calling.
Defence lawyer Paul Keenan opposed a Crown motion to adjourn the case to a future date and highlighted the substantial amount of time that had elapsed since his client's arrest.
Keenan said: "Mr Altizio appeared from custody on this matter 33 months ago.
"It is not in the interests of justice to continue with this prosecution and the balance should fall in favour of Mr Altizio."
Sheriff Higgins refused the Crown motion and found Altizio not guilty.
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