THE protracted prosecution of three members of a Greenock family charged with attacking two men at a car dealership in the town nearly three years ago has been further delayed after a defence lawyer suddenly withdrew from proceedings.
James Coyle Snr, 50, James Coyle Jr, 30, and Demi Leigh Coyle, 29, are said to have adopted an aggressive demeanour towards the latter’s ex-partner at Arnold Clark on East Hamilton Street on August 6, 2021.
It is alleged that they uttered threats towards the man, seized him by the body, butted him on the head and repeatedly punched him on the head and body, all to his injury.
The trio are also charged with a second attack on another man, who they allegedly seized by the body and repeatedly punched on the head and body to his injury.
James Coyle Jr, of Auchendarroch Street, faces a separate charge of stealing a pair of glasses on the same day.
Demi Leigh, of Garvald Street, is also charged with threatening and abusive behaviour towards her former partner, with prosecutors claiming she shouted, swore and uttered threats to him.
A trial was set to proceed at Greenock Sheriff Court this week, but Coyle Snr’s defence solicitor Derek Buchanan moved to adjourn as he had been having difficulty getting in contact with his client and was, therefore, ‘not fully prepared’ for trial.
Sheriff Anthony McGeehan denied the request, noting that the trial was adjourned to allow the accused to seek legal representation on October 4 last year.
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He added: “We are now some more than five months later with the accused apparently not having responded to letters and not having engaged in preparations.”
Mr Buchanan withdrew from the proceedings, with James Coyle Snr making a further motion to adjourn to allow him to obtain ‘some proper legal representation’.
He informed Sheriff McGeehan that he had not been in a position to engage with Mr Buchanan due to medical issues.
Sheriff McGeehan granted the adjournment, saying: “It’s now your obligation to instruct a legal representative and ensure they have instructions for next time this calls.”
The trio will return to court for trial on October 7.
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