A MAN walked free from court following a Crown error.

Fraser Smith, of Haddington, was alleged to have assaulted former friend Jas McCulloch by striking him to the face with an unknown object to his severe injury at Brierbush Road, Macmerry.

Smith was also said to have damaged property by throwing stones at a vehicle and to striking Mr McCulloch on the head with the stones during the same incident on December 9, 2020.

The 34-year-old was due to stand trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last Friday; but when the case called, fiscal depute India McLean told the court the Crown was moving for an adjournment.

Ms McLean said an essential witness was currently serving a prison sentence and had not been brought to court.

Sheriff Anderson acknowledged there had been “poor administration on behalf of the Crown” and rejected the prosecution’s motion to adjourn, resulting in the case against Smith, of Hepburn Road, being deserted.