CHRISTOPHER JOHNSTONE

A Fife man accused of wrapping a metal dog lead around his former partner’s neck and dragging her along the ground with it has been denied bail.

Christopher Johnstone, aged 38, had applied for release from HMP Perth while awaiting his trial, citing concerns that a COVID-19 outbreak at the prison might endanger his health due to a lung condition.

However, Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist rejected the bail request via video link from Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court, calling details about Johnstone’s health issues 'woefully inspecific.' Johnstone faces a total of 12 charges, including an incident on July 6 in Caithness Place, Kirkcaldy, where he is accused of seizing his ex-partner by the neck, wrapping a metal dog lead around her neck, and dragging her.

He also faces charges of assaulting two men with a metal dog lead, possessing an offensive weapon without reasonable excuse, and breaching bail conditions by approaching and contacting his ex-partner and not remaining within his residence during a curfew.

Additionally, he faces charges related to a January 19, 2020, incident on Dunsire Street, Kirkcaldy, which include malicious damage by smashing a car's windows with a baseball bat, assaulting another man, attempting to strike police officers with the bat, struggling violently with police, shouting and swearing, uttering threats, and possessing a baseball bat.

His defense solicitor, Calum Gordon, mentioned that Johnstone had offered guilty pleas to five charges, but these were not accepted by the Crown.

A trial date was scheduled for December 1, but the bail was refused mainly due to the seriousness of the charges, Johnstone’s extensive criminal record, and the presence of COVID-19 in the wider population, with Sheriff Gilchrist dismissing health concerns as 'woefully inspecific.'