A footballer has spoken out after charges he abused his ex-partner through punishing exercise routines were dropped. Former Ross County midfielder Harry Paton was due to stand trial over three domestic abuse charges but walked free after prosecutors dropped the case.
It was claimed Paton, 24, insisted the woman exercise daily “according to his instructions” and dictated what clothes to wear. He was also said to have monitored her spending and thrown household items around while arguing with her.
Paton told the Record: “I’m very thankful that the charges against me have been dropped. I’m excited and eager to get back playing football again. All of the allegations were false and not true. These false accusations harmed my professional career, along with my day-to-day life.
“The charges have rightly been revoked and I am now looking forward to moving on. I would like to thank my family, friends, colleagues and lawyers who helped me through a difficult time.”
Paton also denied a claim that he manipulated the woman by repeatedly ending and restarting their relationship and that he insisted she leave their shared Inverness home on various occasions. Canadian Paton, who has caps for Canada under-17s and under-20s, was also alleged to have shouted and sworn at her, acted aggressively and made derogatory remarks to her.
He was also accused of assaulting her by pinning her against a wall and pushing her out of bed, and repeatedly driving a car towards her. The allegations covered a period from February 2019 to May 2021, when he was playing for County in the Premiership and Championship.
The case had been adjourned on a number of occasions. At one hearing, his lawyers lodged a number of defence productions which they claimed proved his innocence. On the day the trial was due to begin in November, it was not called by prosecutors – meaning they did not proceed and allowed the case to fall.
His agent, Barry MacLean, said: “The allegations have severely impacted Harry career-wise and personally – it’s been a big step back for him. We’ve got to find a way to overcome that now. Hopefully he can find a club now, any kind of a stigma doesn’t help.
“He’s not with a club and this has impacted him finding a club. He’s unscathed legally and ethically but he’s taken a personal hit for it, for sure.”
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said: “After careful consideration of the facts and circumstances of the case, including the available admissible evidence, the procurator fiscal decided that there should be no further proceedings taken at this time.”
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