AN assault victim who was harassed by her accused in court should have been offered more protection, an inquiry found.

The Crown Office and Scottish Court and Tribunal Service (SCTS) have been told they must do more to protect vulnerable witnesses following an investigation by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO).

It found that there were “inadequate” arrangements in place to avoid contact between the woman and her accused while she was giving evidence.

The victim, who has not been identified, was required to attend court twice as a witness and victim of charges relating to assault and threatening behaviour.

She was identified as a vulnerable witness and arrangements were made to allow her to give evidence behind a screen.

Her accused was able to move freely throughout the court, which was not identified in the report, except for the witness waiting room.

However, the victim had to leave the room to go to the toilet and was also required to leave at lunchtime when the court building closed.

She said her accused waited outside court for her on one occasion and also “approached and intimidated” her within the building.

The SPSO was critical that neither the Scottish Court and Tribunal Service (SCTS) or the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) had not put in place any additional special measures to ensure her safety such as a separate exit route, working with police to stagger departure times or arranging for her to remain in the building during lunchtime.

They have been told to apologise to the victim that arrangements were not put in place to avoid contact between her and the accused.

The report concluded: “There should be a clear process for COPFS to communicate to SCTS where they consider a witness would benefit from additional arrangements in the court building (such as arrangements to avoid contact with the accused.)

“We considered it was unreasonable for both organisations to not have a clear and shared understanding of this process given that they are jointly responsible for working together to support and protect vulnerable witnesses.”