The ex-partner of a pensioner who’s accused of abducting a sheriff and sending threatening messages about the First Minister has told a court that he had an “issue” with another SNP politician.
William Curtis allegedly directed a Facebook message at former SNP Banff and Buchan Coast MSP Stewart Stevenson on March 9 2019, stating: “Your time is coming”.
It’s alleged to have included a link to a YouTube video referring to the murder of Labour MP Jo Cox.
The 70-year-old, who denies all the charges against him, has accused his partner at the time – Alyson Gould – of sending the message.
But Miss Gould, 65, denied having a problem with Mr Stevenson and said that Curtis was someone who sounded off “24/7, seven days a week” about his “political views”.
At the High Court in Glasgow, she told the jury that it was her ex-boyfriend who had an “issue” with him.
Accused was ‘vastly’ interested in politics
Miss Gould told how she had lived with Curtis at his one-bedroom council house in Aberchirder.
She first met Curtis – who she knew as Billy – in England in the mid-1990s.
Prosecutor Chris McKenna asked Miss Gould about the retired elected representative Mr Stevenson.
He put to her: “Did you have any issue with him?”
The witness replied: “No”.
Mr McKenna asked: “Did Billy Curtis have any interest in politics?”
Miss Gould responded: “Vastly”.
The advocate depute followed up: “Did he have an issue with Stewart Stevenson?”
She said: “Yes”.
‘Your time is coming, for that you can be sure’
The High Court in Glasgow again heard about the Facebook message which read: “Your time is coming, for that you can be sure”.
Miss Gould accepted having a Facebook account but denied being responsible for sending the message.
Asked if anyone else knew the “lock code” to access use of her phone, she stated: “Billy”.
Her mobile was among the items seized by police.
Both Miss Gould and Curtis had been charged before court proceedings against her were later dropped.
Curtis’ lawyer quizzed Miss Gould about her police interview.
She was said to have mentioned that Curtis thought the Scottish Government was “corrupt”, adding: “Which it f***ing is, let’s be honest”.
But Miss Gould said to defence KC Gareth Jones that was Curtis’ “opinion”.
She told jurors: “When you get it 24/7, seven days a week, you end up agreeing just for the peace and quiet.”
The witness said her online interests were more in motorbikes, painting furniture and music.
Under re-examination by the prosecutor Mr McKenna, he put to her: “You are getting blamed for the message sent to Stewart Stevenson referring to the Jo Cox assassination.
“Did you have any reason to send the threatening message?”
Miss Gould answered: “No”.
The court heard that Curtis was in his bathrobe when police turned up at his home on March 10 2019.
He allegedly remarked: “All this for sending Stewart Stevenson an email…not an email, a message or whatever you call it”.
Sergeant John Hampton was one of the officers who searched the accused’s property.
When it was suggested to Sgt Hampton that Curtis did not make the comment, the police officer told the jury: “I can categorically say that is untrue”.
Jurors went on to hear claims that Curtis allegedly made malicious Facebook posts about a neighbour and a housing officer in October 2020.
Shane Paterson lived near the OAP in Aberchirder.
The 36-year-old was alerted to a posting that – among other things – claimed he was a drug user and a “paid police informant”, while also listing his address.
It also stated: “I will not be held responsible for any actions taken against this junkie”.
Asked how he felt about this being online, Mr Paterson replied: “How would you feel? It is all lies. I did not feel good having it all over Facebook”.
Aberdeenshire Council housing officer Lynn Mackie was another alleged target of Curtis with a number of remarks made about the 48-year-old.
Miss Mackie told the court that she felt “very scared, alarmed, distressed…every emotion possible”.
She took a screenshot of the post and passed it to the police.
Miss Mackie said: “I reported it to my seniors and asked could I be taken off the village of Aberchirder due to this?”
‘Assassination’ of Nicola Sturgeon
Curtis is further charged with sending emails and posting social media messages making “threatening remarks” towards the First Minister and SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, between February 27 and March 6 2019.
These are said to include a reference to her “assassination”.
The OAP along with 60-year-old Philip Mitchell are also charged with the assault and abduction of Sheriff Robert McDonald on June 29 2021 in Banff.
Both of the accused have lodged pleas of not guilty and the trial, before judge Lord Weir, continues.