The trial of a prosecutor accused of sending “racially aggravated” and “offensive” messages is to take place later this month.
David Wilkie-Thorburn, who is an assistant procurator fiscal for Grampian Highlands and Islands for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), is accused of sending a message to a woman which was “grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character” over Facebook Messenger.
Wilkie-Thorburn, who is being represented by solicitor Gregor Kelly, is alleged to have messaged the woman in the early hours of the morning on April 7 in the context of an employment dispute between the woman and another man.
In the messages, Wilkie- Thorburn is alleged to have told the woman he was the “head of prosecution in Grampian” and that he was “responsible for making prosecution decision on HMRC, serious fraud and immigration cases”.
The 52-year-old is also accused of telling the woman he was “responsible for making recommendations on deportation matters”.
The alleged messages left the complainer in a state of fear and alarm and believing she was at risk of being deported.
The charge is also said to be racially aggravated.
Wilkie-Thorburn, of Harcourt Road, Aberdeen, denies the charges against him.
Yesterday, he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court where Sheriff Ian Anderson set a trial date of October 29.