Published: Tuesday, 24th March, 2009 11:57am
Man accused of deliberately running over dogs in court
by Ally McGilvray
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A 27-YEAR-OLD man accused of deliberately chasing and running over two boxer dogs will stand trial later this year.
James Morton is also alleged to have forced a pregnant woman to jump out of his way by his reckless driving on a rough terrain vehicle on the unclassified road from Kaeside to Caulshields, near Melrose, on July 10 last year.
He was charged with causing the protected animals unnecessary harm under the Animal Health and Welfare Scotland Act.
It is also claimed he narrowly missed two female pedestrians, repeatedly, who were forced to jump out of his way to the risk of their injury, and in particular to one of the women who was pregnant at the time.
Morton, of Bauchlin, Kaeside, Melrose, who was further charged with shouting and swearing and behaving in an aggressive and intimidating manner, denied all the offences when his case was called at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.
Sheriff Colin McClory continued his case to trial on September 15, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 24.
l Two men accused of attacking a man in Galashiels to the danger of his life are due to stand trial next week. Gordon Dawtry, 20, of Mossilee Road, and Joel Quigley, 20, of Kilnknowe Place, both Galashiels, are alleged to have assaulted John Renton in the town"s Overhaugh Street in June last year.
Dawtry was charged with pushing him on the body causing him to fall and strike his head on the ground to his severe injury, permanent impairment and danger of his life.
And Quigley was charged with kicking and punching him on the head and stamping on his head while he was on the ground all to his severe injury, permanent impairment and danger of his life.
They denied the charges when their case was called at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday, and Sheriff Colin McClory continued the case to trial next Wednesday (April 1).
