Prosecutor who threatened beautician fined £700

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Sheriff Ian Duguid said it was likely David Wilkie-Thorburn, 52, would lose his job as an assistant procurator fiscal.

Mr Wilkie-Thorburn, 52, sent a number of messages to Veda Rodrigues, 38, amid concerns of a staff walkout at his husband’s beauty salon.

Ms Rodrigues, a mother-of-four from India, had been renting space at the salon but said she would be moving next door, along with two other workers.

On April 7 last year, Mr Wilkie-Thorburn sent her a message stating he was “head of prosecution in Grampian” and that he was “responsible for making prosecution decisions on immigration cases”.

Ms Rodrigues thought this meant he had the power to deport her.

Yesterday, Sheriff Duguid said he had taken account of Mr Wilkie-Thorburn’s 18 years’ service and exemplary record.

A Crown Office spokesman said: “We are committed to effective, rigorous and fair prosecution and will take appropriate action where there is sufficient evidence of a crime.

“This matter is now subject to internal disciplinary procedures.”