Family accused of attacking youths who damaged son's car are acquitted

John McDonald, 19, was accused of speeding off and hitting Lee Watson with his new Range Rover Sport following an altercation outside an Aberdeen shopping centre.

His father, Richard McDonald, 40, was accused of pursuing the youth, while mother Angela McDonald, 41, was accused of threatening the youths and possession of an "offensive weapon", described in court as a hockey stick. The charges were dropped yesterday due to "insufficient evidence".

The court heard how a group of friends were chatting in their cars at Westhill Shopping Centre car park in the early hours of 13 May, 2009. But the "atmosphere changed" when youths Jordan Logan and Mr Watson arrived drunk from the pub and started "having a go" at Mr McDonald, who was just 17 at the time.

Defence solicitor Graham Murray said the pair "resented" Mr McDonald and were "jealous" that someone his age could be driving such an expensive car.

Giving evidence, witness Sarah Muirdon, 20, said: "They started speaking to John about his car and got into a disagreement. They were asking him how he could afford it and why he was driving a car like that at his age.

"Jordan and Lee got a bit aggressive and John said he was leaving. John then reversed and drove at Lee, and then drove out of the car park."

The court heard that Mr McDonald, from Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, then drove across the street to the nearby police station as Mr Watson and Mr Logan chased him on foot. The pair then returned to the car park where several of the group remained.

Around 15 minutes later, it was claimed that Mr McDonald arrived back in a red Volvo estate with his parents.

Friends of Mr Watson and Mr Logan said that Mrs McDonald had got out of the car carrying a "baseball bat" and had shouted and sworn at them, looking for the two boys.

It was then claimed that Richard McDonald then punched Mr Logan in the head in the car park, and chased Mr Watson across the road to the Holiday Inn where he wrestled him to the ground. But the court then heard that Mrs McDonald could have been carrying a black umbrella which was mistaken for hockey stick or bat.

At the end of two days of Crown evidence, depute fiscal Raymond O'Brien instructed Sheriff Hall that he wished to drop all seven charges against the family due to "insufficient evidence". He added: "I'm not seeking convictions on any of the three accused."

After the trial, the family said they were relieved, but did not wish to make any comment.

Mr McDonald, 18, was accused of dangerous driving and striking Mr Watson on the body with his car, registration A19 JET.He was also accused of having a hockey stick, or similar instrument, in a public place without lawful authority or reasonable excuse.

Richard McDonald had been accused of assaulting Mr Logan by punching him in the head at Westhill Shopping Centre car park on the same night. He had been further charged with pursuing Mr Watson to the Holiday Inn in Westhill.

Mrs McDonald had been accused of shouting, swearing and threatening the two with violence committing a breach of the peace at Westhill Shopping Centre car park in the early hours of 13 May, 2009. Mrs McDonald had been further charged with having an offensive weapon in her possession.