Sheku police officer makes first court appearance on data protection charges
PC Nicole Short denies the allegations against her.
A police officer said to have been "badly hurt" and who "feared for her life" in the incident that led to the death of Sheku Bayoh today (23rd September) made her first appearance in court on data protection charges - almost four years after the alleged offence.
PC Nicole Short has been at the centre of more than a year of legal wrangling over the extent of her injuries, causing repeated delays to her trial.
Her case has now called at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on more than 10 occasions - with Friday's hearing the first time she has appeared in the dock.
Ms Short, wearing a smart dark blue trouser suit, a light blue shirt and glasses, spoke only to confirm her name.
Her solicitor, Ross Cameron, said: "She maintains her plea of not guilty.
"There is one defence witness and the defence are prepared for trial.
"There is a vulnerable witness application in respect of the accused.
"There are special measures for her that have been recommended by her doctor, such as taking breaks every 45 minutes and allowing her to take notes."
Short, 30, of Glenrothes, pleaded not guilty on summary complaint to three charges under the Data Protection Act.
She is accused of accessing confidential information on the Police Scotland computer system in October 2012.
PC Short is accused of obtaining personal data relating to two men from Fife Constabulary's Crimefile system and the Scottish Intelligence Database for non-policing purposes in a separate incident.
Sheriff Richard McFarlane continued the case to a trial date in October.
He said: "There are three charges on this complaint and you are maintaining your not guilty plea.
"I will continue this case to trial."
PC Short was involved in the struggle that led to the death of father-of-two Sheku Bayoh in Kirkcaldy's Hayfield Road on May 3.