Strathearn man accused of wasting police time

Mar 9 2010

Accused of wasting police time

A STRATHEARN man has been accused of wasting police time by concocting a bogus story that his car had been stolen to cover up a smash he had allegedly been involved in.

Andrew Cooper (52), of Milnab Street, Crieff, denies the charge and has lodged a special defence of alibi, claiming that he was in his house when the crash is said to have taken place.

Cooper will appear for trial at Perth Sheriff Court on April 7, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 25.

He is allegedly to have falsely represented to police at his home on June 18 last year that his car had been stolen.

It is alleged, however, that he had crashed through a five-bar metal gate on the unclassified Tullibbardine-Muthill road, at Machany Bridge.

The charge indicates that he destroyed the gate and its posts, causing extensive damage to the vehicle, and that he then failed to stop and give his name and address.

He also denied a third charge of failing to report the accident to the police within 24 hours.

Cooper’s alibi claims he was in his house from at least 18.30-19.30pm that evening, when the accident is said to have taken place.