Sergeant Blair Pettigrew was investigated by 30 officers for two years who ended up interviewing more than 200 witnesses
An inquiry into a policeman accused of rape and sexual assaults collapsed after an alleged victim said she may have mixed him up with ‘someone else’.
Father-of-two Sergeant Blair Pettigrew, 35, was investigated by 30 officers for two years who ended up interviewing more than 200 witnesses.
He was due to face trial at Edinburgh High Court for allegedly raping two women – one while he was in his police uniform – in Glasgow and Ayrshire, but his case was thrown out.
All charges against him were dropped after a message from an alleged victim suggested she had made a mistake.
The 34-year-old woman, who cannot be named, claims to have only told Police Scotland officers what they wanted to hear and reportedly said in an email: ‘I told you I didn’t know him’.
A source told The Scottish Sun: ‘This is a major embarrassment for police. This has been nothing short of a disaster. Heads may very well roll when the full details emerge.’
Sergeant Pettigrew, from Ayrshire, was accused of raping two women and sexually assaulting a third woman. He was also charged for allegedly gathering information on women after accessing the Scottish Intelligence Database.
Charges were dropped when Lord Advocate James Wolffe said there was insufficient evidence
The alleged offences were said to have taken place between 2005 and 2015, but the charges were dropped when Lord Advocate James Wolffe said there was insufficient evidence.
He is believed to have intervened after concerns were raised by Lady Scott at an Edinburgh High Court hearing.
A Police Scotland spokesman told MailOnline: ‘We acknowledge the decision by COPFS (Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service). Any reports of crimes committed by police officers or staff are investigated thoroughly.
Lord Advocate Wolffe is believed to have intervened after concerns were raised by Lady Scott (pictured) at a court hearing
‘As soon as the circumstances in this case were reported an investigation was conducted and a report was submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.
‘Police Scotland is absolutely committed to thoroughly investigating reports of sexual crime and providing the necessary support and advice to victims, irrespective of who the person suspected is or when the incident took place.
‘A report will be submitted to the Assistant Chief Constable, Professionalism and Assurance for his consideration.’
A Crown Office spokesman added: ‘It is the duty of the Crown to keep cases under review and after full and careful consideration of the facts and circumstances, including the admissible evidence currently available, Crown Counsel instructed there should be no further proceedings at this time.
‘Should the evidential position change, the Crown reserve the right to re raise proceedings. The complainers in the case have been advised of the decision.’
Sergeant Pettigew faces an internal police inquiry and is still suspended by the force. He declined to comment when approached by The Scottish Sun.