Hamilton race crime trial hit by two-week delay

Nov 12 2009 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

A HAMILTON man accused of racially aggravated assault and robbery has been granted bail as his trial was further adjourned until later this month.

David Leonard (19) has denied acting in a racially aggravated manner and attacking Mohammed Anwar in Woodfoot Road, Little Earnock, on June 29.

It is alleged that Leonard assaulted Mr Anwar, an 18-year-old Asian student, by striking him repeatedly to the head and body before stealing his wallet and attempting to steal his phone.

At Hamilton Sheriff Court yesterday (Wednesday), the court heard that an essential police witness was ill and unable to attend until later in the month.

As a result, Sheriff Shiona Waldron adjourned the trial until November 25. Leonard was granted bail.

Last month, co-accused Catherine Thomson (16), of Carluke, denied racially aggravated assault and robbery. Sheriff Waldron found her not guilty, as the Crown were no longer seeking a conviction for her on that charge.

However, Thomson pleaded guilty to other charges including assaulting two employees at Morrisons supermarket in Hamilton and stealing alcohol on July 3, as well resisting Constables David Sneddon and David Faulkner at nearby Sainsburys supermarket by struggling violently.

At court yesterday (Wednesday), Sheriff Waldron deferred sentence on Thomson until May 21 next year for the accused to be of good behaviour.

The sheriff issued a stark warning that, due to her recent behaviour, the teenager was now on a “very slippery slope.”